Sagarika Ghose: Hi there. We are focusing in this show on a subject that concerns us all, mental illness. Currently 130 million Indians are diagnosed with some form of mental illness, including depression, bipolarity and schizophrenia, 90 per cent of these cases remain untreated. The government has come up with new Mental Health Bill 2012. But activists say that the bill doesnt protect the rights of the mentally ill. Mental illness is growing in India, will the new mental health care bill help us deal with this challenge. Joining us Harsh Mander, social activist, someone who has written extensively on this new mental health care bill and someone who approves of this particular bill. Dr Nimesh Desai, psychiatrist and director the Department of Psychiatry and the Medical Superintendent at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences. Joining us Vandana Gopikumar founder of the Banyan, it is a group that extends mental healthcare to the poor. Akhileshwar Sahay founder of Whole Mind India foundation, you have been adviser to the Delhi metro rail and you are someone who has suffered from bipolar disorder. Javed Abidi convener of disabled group, someone who is a critic of the new mental health care bill. Let's kick it off with you Dr Desai, the scale of India's mental problem, 130 million Indians diagnosed with some mental disorder, 90 per cent of them remaining untreated. Does this new mental bill address India's mental health problem?
Dr Nimesh Desai: I would say briefly as you
05:34 PM, Oct 19, 2012
