Court’s nod to mental health as right, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• In July 2025, the Supreme Court of India recognized mental health as an integral part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution in the case of Sukdeb Saha vs The State Of Andhra Pradesh.
• The ruling stemmed from the suicide of a NEET candidate in Visakhapatnam, leading to a CBI inquiry order and broader acknowledgment of systemic issues.
• The Court issued "Saha Guidelines," mandating schools, colleges, and coaching centers to develop mental health support systems.
• States and Union Territories have two months to enforce these rules, with district-level monitoring committees to be established.

Detailed Insights:

• The case highlights structural victimization, where systemic neglect of mental health and exploitative educational practices contribute to student suicides.
• The Mental Healthcare Act 2017, while enshrining the right to mental health care, lacks consistent implementation and strong enforcement mechanisms.
• The Supreme Court's verdict elevates mental health to a fundamental right, enabling citizens to demand safeguards for their psychic well-being.
• The ruling raises criminological questions about state responsibility and whether institutional neglect constitutes structural violence.
• Johan Galtung’s theory of structural violence suggests that societal structures causing systematic harm are as blameworthy as direct violence.
• The judgment encourages restorative measures like counseling and institutional reform, shifting the focus from retribution to prevention.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Article 21: Guarantees the protection of life and personal liberty to every citizen.
• Structural Violence: Systematic ways in which social structures harm or disadvantage individuals.
• Victimology: The study of victimization, including the relationships between victims and perpetrators.