It is heartening to note that the government will enact a new law titled the ‘Mental Health Act 2018’ to protect the rights of mentally ill people. In that direction, the health ministry has already prepared a draft of the act. According to the draft, a special Mental Illness Affairs Tribunal will be set up in all the 64 districts to try the cases related to mentally ill people. Mental health is a global problem and ranks the fourth in the list of top 10 deadly diseases.

Although the number of people suffering from mental illness is rising in Bangladesh, their proper medical care is being hindered as the mental health sector has been confronted with myriad problems including acute shortage of skilled manpower and resources. A significant number of adult people of the country suffer from one kind of mental illness or another. It is an unpalatable reality that a person with mental disorders is looked upon as burden on the family and the society. He or she is treated shabbily and becomes a victim of torture, harassment, neglect and scorn in the family and everywhere he/she goes. It is very unfortunate that these people are bearing the brunt of the malady they are not responsible for. A little bit of sympathy that can be a solace for them is a rare thing.     

Mentally ill people have also right to live with dignity in society. But no discernible measure has been taken to ensure it. It is imperative to take concrete measures to alleviate the sufferings of the mentally unsound persons. There should be a culture of empathy for them; they should be treated sympathetically and humanely. In rural areas they are taken to quacks, faith healers and charlatans instead of physicians for treatment who aggravate their problems even further. If proper environment is created the mentally disordered persons can also contribute to the country’s development activities.

The overall outlook about the mentally handicapped people should be changed. The people with mental disorders should be brought under the mainstream population. They also need proper infrastructural support. The government, particularly the health ministry, social welfare ministry and the departments concerned, should solve the problems facing the mentally handicapped people. Massive public awareness needs to be generated in this regard.