Kerala HC seeks details of rehab offered to persons with mental illness | Kochi News

HC was also informed that the six Ashabhavan Centres functioning under the social justice department for the rehabilitation of persons who have recovered from mental illness are currently overcrowded Kochi: High court has directed the additional chief secretary of health and family welfare department to file an affidavit detailing the policies, programmes, infrastructure and inter-departmental coordination mechanisms currently in place for the rehabilitation of persons with mental illness.The bench of Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar was considering a petition by a 43-year-old native of Ernakulam who was acquitted in a criminal case involving the murder of a 10-year-old boy on grounds of mental illness and is now seeking rehabilitation. The matter has been posted for hearing on July 10.Meanwhile, HC was informed by the director of social justice department that the govt has introduced a rehabilitation scheme for undertrial prisoners with mental illness residing in mental health centres, as well as persons acquitted by courts who continue to remain in such institutions. The scheme envisages their transition to approved psycho-social rehabilitation centres. The officer submitted that the programme is currently being implemented through four designated NGO-run institutions — two in Thiruvananthapuram, one in Ernakulam and one in Wayanad. These institutions are presently providing rehabilitation services to 15 individuals. Under the scheme, annual financial assistance of Rs 39,660 is provided per resident, with a total allocation of Rs 6 lakh earmarked for the institutions during the 2025-26 financial year.HC was also informed that the six Ashabhavan Centres functioning under the social justice department in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kozhikode for the rehabilitation of persons who have recovered from mental illness are currently overcrowded. However, HC noted that nearly 120 registered Psycho-Social Rehabilitation Centres (PRCs) are being run by various non-governmental organisations across the state. Prima facie, these institutions could help address the shortage of rehabilitation facilities. However, a systematic assessment is required to ascertain whether they are being properly managed, possess adequate infrastructure and manpower, and are capable of providing a safe, secure and rehabilitative environment for residents through inspections by the respective district social justice officers, HC observed.