Need to create awareness on Mental Health Act

Bangalore, Oct 13 (UNI) Karnataka High Court Judge Gopala Gowda today advocated the need to raise greater awareness among the people, officials and the government about the provisions of Mental Health Act.

Speaking after inaugurating a workshop on 'Mental Health Act' here, Justice Gowda called upon the government to take necessary steps for effective implementation of the Act.

He opined that due to lack of proper implementation of the Act, anti-social elements were treating mental illness by cashing in on superstition among rural masses.

Justice Gowda said there was need for setting up more psychiatric hospitals to help the poor.

The one-day workshop was organised by the District Legal Authorities, Bangalore, Indian Psychiatric Society, Karnataka, Department of Welfare of Disabled and Senior Citizens and Karnataka Association of Psychiatric Disability.

UNI