The government is considering a new mental healthcare bill to replace the old Mental Health Act, 1987, Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Friday.

"The Bill aims to provide access to mental healthcare for persons with mental illness and to protect and promote the rights of persons with mental illness during the delivery of mental healthcare," Azad told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

He said epidemiological studies have indicated that the prevalence of mental disorders in the country is six to seven percent.

To address the huge burden of mental disorders, government is targeting 123 districts in 20 states with the aim to reach out to the people suffering from mental disorders.