Chandigarh: Now, mental health patients get say in treatment; rules notified

The UT administration issued e-notification for Chandigarh Mental Healthcare (Rights of Persons with Mental Illness) Rules 2026 on July 20, eight years after the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, came into force.

Persons with mental illness can now decide in advance how they want to be treated and appoint a nominated representative under the new rules.

All mental health establishments and professionals must register with the State/UT Mental Health Authority, which will set minimum standards for such establishments.

The government is liable to establish halfway homes and rehabilitation centres for mental healthcare services, as per the rules.

Grievances can be taken to the Mental Health Review Board, chaired by a district-level judge.