Beijing finished drafting its first ever set of rules on mental health earlier this month. The rules are expected to come into effect soon, after being modified according to comments from the public.

That is great news for victims of mental illness and their families.

Such rules are definitely needed to protect the rights of these patients, who are often seen as pariahs and made subjects of discrimination and abuse.

The move is laudable, as it extends humanitarian care to a group of unfortunate, disadvantaged people.

However, so far, only Shanghai and a few other east China cities have promulgated similar local rules.

But these cities are not the only places where patients suffering mental illness are mistreated.

In light of this, a national law for the same purpose is highly advisable. Under such a law, provinces and cities could enact detailed rules according to different local conditions.

The existing laws and regulations that govern general medical issues are not sufficient to protect the rights of those plagued by mental disorders. Psychiatric patients are special because their illnesses can, in extreme cases, leave them unaware of their unhealthy conditions. This, in turn, can excuse other people's over-reaction towards those who were diagnosed or even suspected to be mentally unhealthy.

The public's awareness of mental health has improved in recent years. In big cities, a growing number of people have learned to seek professional assistance to deal with mental disorders.

However, the rights of people suffering from such problems are far from being properly honored.

It is not uncommon for people with slight psychiatric problems to be ill-treated at work, bullied at school, or even refused employment and education opportunities in the first place.

Some mentally unhealthy people are actually able to make decisions by themselves and should be given the right to do so. But there have been cases in which these people were treated as the most serious patients and sent to psychiatric institutions by force for compulsory treatment.

Within the psychiatric profession, not everything is satisfactory. Patients' privacy is not safeguarded well. Many practitioners do not have the necessary qualifications.

A law passed by the national legislature can at least legalize the rights of patients with different degrees of mental illness. Such a law can also help raise public awareness about mental health in a society where ignorance and misconceptions about this topic still abound.

The local rules should contain stipulations that address specific needs and be supported by available resources in their areas.

In addition to clauses about psychiatric patients' rights, for example, Beijing's rules also have specific requirements for psychiatric intervention during and after emergencies such as natural disasters which often cause psychological trauma to many and requirements for qualifications for practicing in the profession. These are all commendable stipulations that are in line with Beijing's conditions.

(China Daily August 18, 2006)