News Desk
Islamabad — The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has directed all medical and dental institutions nationwide to implement comprehensive mental health screening protocols for students and faculty, signaling a major step toward improving mental health awareness in medical education.
The directive, issued under the leadership of Rizwan Taj, comes amid rising concerns about student suicide rates, psychological stress, and burnout in healthcare education. PM&DC emphasized that the demanding nature of medical and dental training requires proactive systems to identify, manage, and prevent mental health issues.
Key Measures Announced by PM&DC
> Mandatory Mental Health Screening
Institutions must conduct screenings at:
– The time of student admissions to detect pre-existing mental health concerns
– Annual assessments for undergraduate, postgraduate students, and faculty
– Standardized Assessment Tools
Colleges are instructed to use validated psychological screening tools to ensure reliable and consistent evaluations.
Referral to Psychiatry Departments
Any individual identified as at-risk must be referred to a Department of Psychiatry for further evaluation, treatment, and follow-up care.
Establishment of Mental Health Facilities
All institutions must:
– Set up a fully functional Psychiatry Department
– Create a dedicated counseling unit
– Ensure services are confidential, accessible, and professionally managed
Focus on Student Well-being and Academic Performance
PM&DC highlighted that structured mental health support systems will not only reduce psychological distress among medical students but also enhance:
– Academic performance
– Career development
– Overall well-being of future healthcare professionals
The council has made it clear that mental health in medical colleges is now an institutional responsibility, requiring urgent and strict compliance.
Implementation Deadline and Compliance
All medical and dental colleges have been instructed to treat this directive as a top priority, ensuring immediate implementation of:
– Regular mental health evaluations
– Accessible counseling services
– Preventive mental health strategies
Failure to comply may impact institutional standing under PM&DC regulations.
