Shimla, Aug. 9 -- The Himachal Pradesh government has told the state high court that it plans to open one half-way home (residential facility for individuals recovering from addiction, mental health issues, or transitioning back into society after incarceration) in each district in a phased manner to address the shortage of facilities for rehabilitated mental health patients.

Currently, the state has only two such homes - one for women in Solan and another for men in Mandi - both of which are fully occupied. Together, they provide 25 beds and are run by NGOs with funding from the Social Justice and Empowerment Department.

The government shared its plans during a hearing of a suo motu public interest litigation concerning the condition o...