---
title: "Kerala HC asks state to review renaming Mental Health Centres to reduce stigma"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/kerala-hc-rename-mental-health-centres-1kn93
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Politics
published: 2026-08-24T16:32:27.960Z
modified: 2026-08-24T19:00:07.191Z
language: en-IN
---

# Kerala HC asks state to review renaming Mental Health Centres to reduce stigma

The Kerala High Court directed the state to consider renaming 'Mental Health Centres' to mitigate stigma, prompted by amicus curiae input. The court stressed this is a policy issue and sought the government's view, with prior visits to centres and concerns about conditions cited in related orders.

## Key takeaways

- The court asked the state to consider renaming Mental Health Centres to reduce stigma without mandating a specific new name.
- Amicus curiae proposed the name Institutes of Behavioural Management as an alternative.
- The issue is part of a centuries-long public interest litigation tied to Sheela Barse v. Union of India, with ongoing reporting and remedial orders.
- The state must respond by September 15, 2026, as per the directions connected to this interim application.

## What Happened

The Kerala High Court, sitting as a Division Bench of Justices Devan Ramachandran and Basant Balaji, directed the state government to consider a proposal to rename all 'Mental Health Centres' across Kerala. The suggestion, made by amicus curiae Sathyasree Priya, proposed naming them 'Institutes of Behavioural Management'. The court noted that the name attracts stigma and stated that the decision is a policy matter for the government. The interim application related to this issue has been posted for further consideration on September 15, with the state yet to respond.

The inquiry is part of ongoing public interest litigation initiated in 1996 following the Supreme Court’s direction in Sheela Barse v. Union of India. The court had earlier visited three mental health centres in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Kozhikode as part of its observations.

## Why It Matters

The court emphasized that the name should not contribute to stigma or social disfavor towards patients and suggested that other hospitals are not labeled with terms tied to mental health, raising questions about how nomenclature affects public perception and care. While the court did not mandate a rename, it underscored that the government must initiate action and provide remedial plans if necessary.

## Background

The case originates from a 1996 public interest litigation connected to the Sheela Barse ruling. Previous orders in August highlighted concerns about the conditions at the centres, including isolation wards described as 'horrific' and a shortage of staff. The court asked health and social welfare department secretaries to address these conditions in a comprehensive report with timelines.

## Key Facts

- Division Bench: Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Basant Balaji.
- Order date: August 21 (reported August 24, 2026).
- Amicus curiae input: Sathyasree Priya proposed renaming to Institutes of Behavioural Management.
- Centers involved in prior court visits: Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Kozhikode.
- Ongoing PIL: Case related to 1996 proceedings arising from Sheela Barse v. Union of India; interim response due September 15, 2026.
- Earlier court observations: Conditions described as horrific with inadequate staff and isolation wards.

## What Happens Next

The state government is to consider the renaming proposal and file a response by the stated deadline. The court has reserved further orders and requested a comprehensive report outlining remedial measures and timelines for the centres’ staffing and conditions.

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/kerala-hc-rename-mental-health-centres-1kn93
Reported from: Multiple Sources