Draft law on mental health in the work place

EMPLOYERS will be required to provide a mentally friendly working environment and patients with serious psychological disorders may receive free hospitalization, according to a draft of the nation’s first mental health law, experts said yesterday.

The draft will be completed by the end of this year. It will then be sent to the State Council and the National People’s Congress. The law is expected to be enacted before 2008.

According to Xie Bin, vice president of the Shanghai Mental Health Center and a member of the legislative team, each industry may determine the requirements for creating a mentally favorable environment. This includes providing paid holidays and giving care to employees through associations such as a trade union or women’s federation.

“Improving the overall mental quality of the public is an important task of this law,” said Xie. “In addition to treating patients, we want to help people prevent and control mental problems.”

Experts said the law focuses on patients’ rights, reducing social prejudices and improving overall mental health.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 9 Nov 2005
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.