Mental Health Legislation in Egypt and India

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, just over half the world's countries have formulated mental health policies, while 71 percent possess a mental health plan, and 59 percent report having dedicated mental health legislation. India and Egypt, two large developing countries with different cultural and political backgrounds, have both enacted dedicated mental health legislation. In both countries, the legislation is under wide-ranging review, pending passage by legislative bodies, to be consistent with the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons. The proposed legislation in each country addresses societal myths as well as rights for the mentally ill. However, in both countries the proposed legislation has been criticized by family advocates as well as consumers of health care. The background to the legislation and current issues are discussed in this article.