The national mental health programme also lacks adequate
guidance and leadership. No mental health policy existed
before the programme, and the 1987 Mental Health Act
(which established the central and state mental health
authorities) has been largely non-functional. Experts have
identifi ed apathy, an absence of leadership, and issues of
political power (at state and government level) as relevant
barriers to development of mental health policy and
legislation to support the expansion of human resources for
mental health.