Your rights under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017
The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 gives people with mental illness in India the right to access care, to confidentiality, to equal treatment with physical illness and to live with dignity. Adults can also write an advance directive about their treatment.
Last updated 2 November 2026
Your main rights
- Access to care (section 18): the right to affordable, good quality mental healthcare from government services, without discrimination.
- Equality (section 21): mental illness is treated as equal to physical illness, and insurers must cover treatment of mental illness on the same basis as physical illness.
- Dignity (section 20): protection from cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
- Confidentiality (section 23): your mental health information is kept private.
Confidentiality and its limits
Health professionals must keep information about your mental health private. The Act allows limited exceptions: sharing with a representative you nominate, with other clinicians involved in your care, with someone facing a serious risk of harm, and when a Board, court or the law requires it, or for public safety.
Advance directive (section 5)
Adults can write down how they would, or would not, like to be treated for mental illness, and name a representative. It applies only when you cannot decide for yourself, and a decision you make while you have capacity overrides it.
This is general information
This is a plain summary of the Act, not legal advice. For a specific situation, speak to a lawyer or your state Mental Health Review Board.
What to do next
For the rules on online care, read is online psychiatry legal in India. For family involvement in care, see how families can support treatment. More answers are in the FAQ. Mindly sees people online in every Indian city, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad. See online psychiatrist in India.
How to start
- Call or message us. Reach us on +91 90352 54779 or WhatsApp. Tell us your language and a convenient time.
- Free pre-consultation call. Our team takes your history and prepares a report for your clinician, so you do not repeat yourself.
- Video session. You meet your allotted clinician online, from home or wherever you feel comfortable.
- Your plan. The clinician explains what they find and the next steps. You decide together.
Book your free pre-consultation call
Your privacy and confidentiality. What you share with Mindly Health stays between you and your care team. Your conversations, reports and messages are treated as confidential and shared only with the team members involved in your care, apart from the limited cases where the law requires it or someone's safety is at serious risk. Read our Privacy Policy and your rights under the Mental Healthcare Act.
Common questions
Can my family see my records?
Not automatically. The Act protects confidentiality. Information can be shared with a representative you nominate, and in the limited situations the Act lists.
Does insurance have to cover mental illness?
The Act says insurers must provide for treatment of mental illness on the same basis as treatment of physical illness.
Related
- Privacy Policy
- Helplines and resources
- When to see a psychiatrist
- How common are mental health problems in India?
- Does online therapy work?
- How to talk to your family about mental health
Sources
Mindly Health is not an emergency service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital. For free support at any hour, call Tele-MANAS on 14416.