26,657 MENTAL HEALTH LAW. BACKGROUND AND PERSPECTIVES

In the year 2010 the first Mental Health Law was passed by Congress in Argentina. The bill was prepared by deputy Leonardo Gorbacz. This law incorporates new conceptions as regards the care of those who undergo mental suffering, and so its enforcement will require the introduction of changes, both conceptual and operational. In this research paper, a consideration of the background of the Law will be addressed, in particular in reference to the eight laws which already existed in Argentina (seven from the provinces and one from the city of Buenos Aires). Furthermore, the new aspects that the Law incorporates will be described as well as the criticism that were made in the framework of the debate carried out in parliament.