Mental Healthcare Act 2017: right to free treatment: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Mental Healthcare Act 2017: right to free treatment

Sample item

Under the Mental Healthcare Act 2017, which group is entitled to free mental health care at government establishments?

AOnly inpatients above 60 yearsBPersons who are homeless or below the poverty line (BPL), including those without a BPL cardCOnly persons with schizophreniaDOnly government employees

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Persons who are homeless or below the poverty line (BPL), including those without a BPL card

Section 18 provides every person with the right to access mental health care and treatment from government services, and persons who are homeless, or who are below the poverty line (whether or not they hold a BPL card) are entitled to it free of cost. It also affirms the right to community living.

Option by option

A. Only inpatients above 60 years
There is no age restriction.
B. Persons who are homeless or below the poverty line (BPL), including those without a BPL card (correct)
Correct. Homeless and BPL persons receive free care.
C. Only persons with schizophrenia
It is not limited to a single diagnosis.
D. Only government employees
The right is not restricted to employees.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Persons who are homeless or below the poverty line (BPL), including those without a BPL card. Section 18 provides every person with the right to access mental health care and treatment from government services, and persons who are homeless, or who are below the poverty line (whether or not they hold a BPL card) are entitled to it free of cost.

Why is "Only inpatients above 60 years" not the answer?

There is no age restriction.

Why is "Only persons with schizophrenia" not the answer?

It is not limited to a single diagnosis.

Why is "Only government employees" not the answer?

The right is not restricted to employees.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mental Healthcare Act 2017: right to free treatment in Psychiatry. It also affirms the right to community living.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Mental Healthcare Act 2017: right to free treatment?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.