The Tamil Nadu government recently released the draft State Mental Healthcare Regulations, 2026, which provides for minimum quality standards of mental health services and minimum qualifications for personnel engaged in mental health establishments (MHEs).

“There shall not be any physical, mental, sexual abuse or violence” of inpatients, reads a provision in the draft regulations.

According to the draft regulations, the Tamil Nadu State Mental Health Authority will maintain a register of practicing mental health professionals in the State that will be updated monthly. It also proposes to publish a district-wise list of mental health professionals on January 1 every year. The mental health establishments will be categorised as Category A (Standalone MHEs), Category B (Psychiatric Department of Medical Colleges), Category C (Psychiatric Wards of Multi-specialty Hospitals), Category D (Standalone De-addiction Centres), and Category E (Centres for Psychosocial Rehabilitation).

The draft regulations specify living conditions that are comfortable for patients. They should be provided separate cots with mattresses, pillows, bed sheets, and blankets. “Ratio of fans to beds should be not less than 1:4”, the draft regulations specified and the minimum distance between two parallel beds should be one metre. The number of toilets should be at a ratio of 1:8 and bathrooms should be at the ratio of 1:10, it specified. Separate toilets and bathrooms for males and females, gender neutral toilets, and toilets for persons with disabilities should be provided.

“Physical restraint to be used if it is the only means available to prevent imminent and immediate harm to the person concerned or to others, and it should be approved by the psychiatrist and the circumstances, duration of restraint shall be recorded in the case sheet and a separate register kept for the purpose,” the draft regulations read. The family member/nominated representative of the person shall be informed about every instance of restraint within a period of 24 hours. Inpatients should be discharged on request at any time after admission to the MHE.

Suggestions invited

The public can submit their suggestions and objections, if any, on or before April 30, 2026, either by emailing tnsmha@gmail.com or by post to The Chief Executive Officer, Tamil Nadu State Mental Health Authority, IMH campus, Medavakkam Tank Road, Kilpauk, Chennai-600 010.