Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government has decided to rename its Mental Health Centres as Regional Institutes for Happiness and Wellness. The decision was informed to the Kerala High Court on November 10, 2026, following discussions with different stakeholders. The move comes amid a wider effort to improve mental healthcare facilities and services across the state.
Details of Kerala Mental Health Centres Renaming
The Kerala Government informed a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court about its decision to change the name of the state’s Mental Health Centres.
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The Bench comprises Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Basant Balaji. Advocate General K. Gopalakrishna Kurup presented the government’s decision before the court.
According to the submission, the government has finalised the name Regional Institute for Happiness and Wellness after consulting different stakeholders.
The Advocate General also stated that a government order regarding the new name was being issued, if it had not already been issued.
Indian Medical Association And Psychiatric Society Raised Objections
Earlier, the state government had decided to rename the centres as Happiness and Wellness Centres. However, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) raised objections to this proposed name.
Both organisations approached the Kerala High Court to present their concerns before the authorities. The court allowed them to raise the issue before the competent authorities.
Following these discussions, the government finalised the new name, Regional Institute for Happiness and Wellness.
Case Is Part Of A Long-Running Public Interest Litigation
The matter is connected to a public interest litigation (PIL) that began in 1996. The case followed directions issued by the Supreme Court in Sheela Barse v. Union of India, which concerned the conditions and treatment of people in mental health institutions.
The ongoing proceedings focus on improving facilities and protecting the rights and well-being of people receiving mental healthcare.
Kerala High Court Seeks Updates On Mental Health Centre Improvements
The Kerala High Court has also been monitoring the condition of three mental health centres located in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Kozhikode.
Earlier, the Bench had personally visited these centres and directed the state government to take urgent steps to improve their conditions. The court identified four important areas requiring immediate attention:
- Construction of boundary walls around the centres.
- Appointment of necessary staff.
- Uninterrupted availability of medicines.
- Availability of one or two vehicles for transporting food and other essential supplies within the premises.
The court recently asked the state government to provide an update on these improvements.
Court Seeks Action On Boundary Walls, Staff And Medical Facilities
During the latest hearing, the court stressed that the construction of boundary walls was a priority.
It warned that further action could be considered if the boundary walls were not completed. The Bench also stated that institutional integrity would be possible only when proper boundary protection was provided.
The court further directed that all four previously identified requirements should be addressed before moving on to other issues, including partially constructed buildings.
Kerala Mental Health Centres Renaming: Government Gives Update On Medicines And Transport Facilities
In response, the Advocate General informed the court that an uninterrupted supply of medicines had already been assured.
He also stated that the availability of vehicles had been addressed. However, the actual purchase of vehicles was still pending and could take around one or two weeks, depending on their availability through the online portal.
Regarding the boundary walls, the government submitted that construction was progressing at a good speed.
The court was also informed that a report on the present construction status would be filed by the next hearing if the work remained incomplete.
Appointment Of Healthcare Staff Still Under Process
The appointment of necessary personnel was another important issue discussed during the hearing. The Advocate General requested two more weeks to complete the process. He explained that there had been a change in the Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department.
The files relating to the appointments were reportedly under evaluation.
However, the court made it clear that government assurances must lead to actual improvements in the mental health centres.
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FAQs
The renaming aims to create a more positive identity for mental healthcare institutions and reduce the social stigma associated with mental illness.
Kerala has finalised the name Regional Institute for Happiness and Wellness for its government-run mental health centres, according to the state’s submission before the High Court.
The Kerala High Court is monitoring three government-run mental health centres located in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Kozhikode.
