Mental Health Care Act, 2002 (Act No. 17 of 2002)

Chapter II : Fundamental Provisions

3. Objects of Act

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The objects of this Act are to –

(a)	regulate the mental health care in a manner that –

(i)	makes the best possible mental health care, treatment and rehabilitation services available to the population equitably, efficiently and in the best interest of mental health care users within the limits of the available resources;

(ii)	co-ordinates access to mental health care, treatment and rehabilitation services to various categories of mental health care users; and

(iii)

integrates the provision of mental health care services into the general health services environment;

(b)	regulate access to and provide mental health care, treatment and rehabilitation services to-

(i)	voluntary, assisted and involuntary mental health care users;

(ii)	State patients; and

(iii)

mentally ill prisoners;

(c)	clarify the rights and obligations of mental health care users and the obligations of mental health care provider; and

(d)	regulate the manner in which the property of persons with mental illness and persons with severe or profound intellectual disability maybe dealt with by a court of law.