Mental Illness
Doom scrolling to cyberbullying: Economic Survey focuses on mental health
The Economic Survey for FY24 highlighted that mental health affects productivity more broadly than physical health issues and highlighted the socio-economic impacts of mental disorders
 "Doom scrolling to cyberbullying: Economic Survey focuses on mental health")
Govt replaces 'mental illness' with 'unsound mind' in 3 criminal law bills
The government has introduced the term "unsound mind" in place of "mental illness", on the recommendations of a parliamentary panel, in the redrafted criminal law bills that seek to replace the British-era Indian Penal Code, CrPC and Indian Evidence Act. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill was first introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 11, along with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam bills. The proposed laws used the term "mental illness" with meaning assigned to it in clause (a) of section 2 of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, headed by BJP MP Brijlal, had recommended that the word "mental illness" in the proposed laws may be changed to "unsound mind" as mental illness is too wide in its import in comparison to unsound mind, as it appears to include even mood swings or voluntary intoxication within its ambit. The panel made the observations in its report prepared after examining the propos
 "Govt replaces 'mental illness' with 'unsound mind' in 3 criminal law bills")
World Mental Health Day 2023: Date, Theme, Importance, Facts, Celebration
World Mental Health Day highlights the significance of comprehensive help for people confronting both long-term physical illnesses and related mental health issues
 "World Mental Health Day 2023: Date, Theme, Importance, Facts, Celebration")
Launch insurance products for the disabled, mentally unwell: Irdai
Regulator Irdai has asked general and standalone health insurers to offer a specific cover for Persons with Disabilities (PWD), persons afflicted with HIV/AIDS, and those with mental illness. In a circular, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) asked the insurers to determine the price of the product in line with the IRDAI (Health Insurance) Regulations, 2016 (HIR, 2016). The insurers have been directed to put in place a Board-approved underwriting policy that ensures that no proposal from these categories of population is denied insurance cover. The policy tenure of the product should be for one year and is renewable as per regulatory framework. General and standalone health insurers, who have been issued a Certificate of Registration to transact General and/or Health Insurance Business, have been asked to mandatorily launch and offer their respective product immediately. Irdai has been set up to bring about speedy and orderly growth of the insurance
 "Launch insurance products for the disabled, mentally unwell: Irdai")
62.2% death row prisoners diagnosed with at least one mental illness: Study
The report which was released after five years of research also established correlations between conditions of incarceration and ill-health.
 "62.2% death row prisoners diagnosed with at least one mental illness: Study")
The hidden history of spas
Book review of Health, Hedonism and Hypochondria
 "The hidden history of spas")
Before and after darkness
Book review - No Straight Thing Was Ever Made: Essays on Mental Health
 "Before and after darkness")
Teen angst in the digital age
Book review of Stoned Shamed Depressed: An Explosive Account of the Secret Lives of India's Teens
 "Teen angst in the digital age")
Insufficient, inconsistent: Mental health pension rarely reach the affected
Government financial support during and since the lockdown for persons with psychosocial disabilities from low-income families, many of which had lost income, was inadequate
 "Insufficient, inconsistent: Mental health pension rarely reach the affected")
One in 5 Covid-19 patients develop mental illness within 90 days: Study
Anxiety, depression and insomnia were most common among recovered Covid-19 patients in the study who developed mental health problems
 "One in 5 Covid-19 patients develop mental illness within 90 days: Study")
One-third of Covid-19 patients in US had deteriorating mental state: Study
Patients with altered mental function - the medical term is encephalopathy - were also nearly seven times as likely to die as those who did not have that type of problem
 "One-third of Covid-19 patients in US had deteriorating mental state: Study")
Julian Assange says he hears voices in prison, says psychiatrist
Michael Kopelman, a psychiatrist who has interviewed Assange around 20 times, said the former hacker would be a "very high" suicide risk if he were extradited to the US
 "Julian Assange says he hears voices in prison, says psychiatrist")
SC notice to govt, IRDA over plea on insurance cover for mental illness
A bench comprising Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman, Navin Sinha and B.R. Gavai issued the notice and sought replies from the Centre and IRDA
 "SC notice to govt, IRDA over plea on insurance cover for mental illness")
Mental illness diagnosis raises risk of becoming a victim of crime: Study
Men's risk of being a victim rose by 76% while women's went up three-fold, says study
 "Mental illness diagnosis raises risk of becoming a victim of crime: Study")
