Kerala High Court Applauds Renaming of Mental Health Centres
Kerala High Court welcomes renaming of mental health centres as 'happiness and wellness centres', noting it will help reduce stigma and catalyse change.
The Kerala High Court has expressed satisfaction over the state government's decision to rename mental health centres as 'happiness and wellness centres'. A Division Bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Basant Balaji observed that the stigma attached to patients, their attendants, and the centres themselves has been a matter of concern.
The Bench noted that the places where these centres function are often referred to in a pejorative manner. The judges said they were confident that the change of name would catalyse the desired transformation. They also warned that continued violations of patients' human rights would bring shame to the civilised community and the nation.
The court's remarks came after the judges visited centres in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, and Kozhikode. During the hearing, the Advocate General assured the court that the government was addressing infrastructure and staff vacancies with full sincerity. He said the state's resolve was in line with the principles of a welfare state and that every effort would be made to make the centres fit for human dignity and treatment, despite resource constraints.
The Bench acknowledged that some improvements would require time and significant investment. However, it stressed that human rights violations—even if unintentional and due to lack of facilities—must be remedied immediately. The court identified four urgent priorities: appointing sufficient attenders, cooks, dhobis, and security personnel; constructing compound walls for secure perimeters; ensuring uninterrupted supply of medicines for both mental and physical health; and providing at least one vehicle, preferably electric, at each centre for transporting food and other purposes.
The court suggested that with adequate staff and secured perimeters, patients could be allowed to move freely in open areas. The premises, being relatively large, could be developed into gardens. The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on September 15.