Free legal aid in hospitals for persons with mental illness: Is it helpful? An Indian prospective study

BACKGROUND: Legislative backing exists to set up free legal aid clinics in psychiatric hospitals to provide legal assistance to their patients. AIMS: This study aimed to assess the utility of a free legal aid clinic running inside a mental health establishment. METHODS: In this prospective study, 71 subjects (chosen via convenience sampling) were recruited. Assessments were carried out at baseline and two months after intake. Legal needs and the legal outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Most of the legal issues were either family-related (50.7%) or civil issues (28.2%). A majority of patients (64.4%) had implemented the advice given at the clinic. Those who had implemented the advice had a better legal outcome, defined as either resolution of the legal issue or that the legal issue was in an active proceeding compared to those who had not implemented the advice (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: The provision of free legal aid services in mental health establishments would benefit patients.