Chennai: The Tamil Nadu State Mental Health Authority (TNSMHA) has released the draft titled “Tamil Nadu State Mental Healthcare Regulations, 2026”, framed under section 123 of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. The draft includes definitions for key terms such as “Sheltered accommodation” and
“Supported accommodation.”The draft regulations have been opened for the public to give their suggestion and objections, if any, on or before 30.04.2026. The same can be submitted either by email to tnsmha@gmail.com or by post to the address Chief Executive Officer, Tamil Nadu State Mental Health Authority, IMH Campus, Medavakkam Tank Road, Kilpauk, Chennai- 600010.
The draft specifies that Tamil Nadu State
Mental Health Authority (TNSMHA) meetings should be conducted as per specified notice
periods, quorum requirements, and could include tele-video conferencing
participation. Decisions are to be made unanimously or by majority vote.Also Read:Mumbai: 24 year old MDS student allegedly commits suicide over humiliation, mental harassment, man booked for abetmentThe Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) must have a postgraduate qualification in psychiatry, should be selected by a committee for a term of three years, and be eligible for
reappointment under the supervision of the Authority Chairperson. Staff
appointments follow specified qualifications and reporting to the CEO, the draft mentioned.The draft clarified that “Sheltered accommodation” means a safe and secure accommodation
option for persons with mental illness who want to live and manage their
affairs independently, but need occasional help and support.
(g) “Supported accommodation” means a living arrangement whereby a
person, in need of support, who has a rented or ownership accommodation,
but has no live-in caregiver, gets domiciliary care and a range of support
services from a caregiver of an agency to help him live independently and
safely in the privacy of his home.
Mental Health
Establishments (MHE)
MHEs must adhere to
minimum facility and service standards as specified in the Schedule; personnel
qualifications include psychiatrists, doctors, clinical psychologists,
psychiatric social workers, and nurses meeting recognized standards. MHEs are required to
maintain detailed medical and admission records to be available for audits and
regulatory review. Permanent registration applications must be submitted with a
20,000 rupee fee, evidencing compliance with standards by documentation and
photographs. Objections to MHE
registration can be filed within 30 days post-public notice, and final
registration is granted by the State Authority after satisfactory fulfillment
of criteria, with provisions for duplicate certificates.
Register of Mental Health
Professionals
A digital register of
practicing mental health professionals shall be maintained and updated monthly by
the State Authority; professionals must register by submitting Form-VI with a
500 rupee fee. Every year, as on 1st January, the State Authority shall publish, district-wise, a list of mental health professionals and must be displayed on the Authority’s website.
Minimum Standards for
Mental Health Establishments
MHE categories defined
include standalone MHEs, psychiatric departments, psychiatric wards in
multispecialty hospitals, de-addiction centres, and psychosocial rehabilitation
centres. Minimum common standards for all except sheltered and supported
accommodations cover building structure, hygiene, comfort, food, human rights,
record maintenance, fire safety, CCTV monitoring, and grievance redressal. Specific standards for
categories A-C include adequate health professionals available daily, medical
and paramedical staffing, proper equipment, and biomedical waste management
certification.Also Read:Spousal loss linked to higher risk of dementia, mortality among men, but not women, states researchAdmission criteria for
Category D and E MHEs require psychiatric evaluation to exclude severe mental
or medical illness; such patients must be transferred to appropriate Category
A-C MHEs. Sheltered and supported accommodation requires weekly visits by a social
worker and attendant, plus rental agreement compliance. Detailed staffing norms
by category specify ratios for psychiatrists, medical officers, nurses,
clinical psychologists, psychiatric social workers, attendants, and
housekeeping staff, with provision for substitutes where qualified
professionals are unavailable.