Mental illness allowances not paid : CHENNAI

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Shanta (name cha­nged) from Nesa­pa­kkam a mentally ill woman received an ID card which entitles her for allowances for her disability but she says, “I have to fend for myself. I went to var­ious authorities wi­th the certificate but none would give me the allowance.”

On World Mental Health Day experts opine that the policies are not clear on giving allowances to mentally challenged people despite recognising mental illness as a disability.

Dr Kishore Kumar, director of NGO Ban­yan, says, “Men­tal illness is categorised as a diability and pati­en­ts have been given certificates and ID cards, but none of th­em have received allo­wance.”

Presently, they are allowed Rs1,000 like differently-abled people. Banyan conducted a event here on creating awa­reness on the rights of the mentally ill.



Source : Deccan Chronicle , 12th October 2013