Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh introduces Leadership in Mental Health Programme to train professionals and strengthen Punjab’s anti-drug efforts.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh introduced the “Leadership in Mental Health Programme,” the nation’s first fellowship devoted to lowering substance use and fostering mental wellbeing, in a major move to bolster the state’s battle against substance abuse under the ongoing anti-drug campaign “Yudh Nashean Virudh.” The Health Department of Punjab, the Dr. BR Ambedkar Institute of Medical Sciences in Mohali, and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai are working together on this innovative project.

In order to improve prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services in all 23 districts of Punjab, this fellowship will bring together 35 mental health professionals from India and throughout the world, according to Dr. Balbir Singh, who provided details about the program. “A Rangla Punjab can only be a Swasth Punjab. Punjab needs bright and caring young people to spearhead our battle against stigma, ignorance, and indifference in order to combat the growing drug usage pandemic,” he continued.

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The two-year fellowship will give early-career professionals a special chance to work under the Data Intelligence and Technical Support Unit, which is spearheading a comprehensive response against substance abuse in Punjab, according to Dr. Balbir Singh, who also discussed the program’s structure. Prior to their field deployment, the fellows would go through a thorough two-week orientation program run by TISS Mumbai.

“The launch of the Leadership in Mental Health Programme makes the Government’s focus and commitment to ensure mental wellbeing of every person in Punjab more clear than ever before,” Dr. Balbir Singh said, highlighting the Punjab government’s commitment to institutionalizing mental health care under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. We are striving to provide Punjabis with compassionate and easily accessible healthcare, from public spaces for physical activities to special fellowships to enhance the state’s mental health services.

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Regarding the implementation, Dr. Balbir Singh stated that two of the 35 fellows will be stationed at the DITSU headquarters in Mohali, 10 colleagues in five Cluster Resource Centers, and 23 fellows in each district of Punjab.In addition to receiving a monthly salary of ₹60,000, the fellows will have practical experience in public health infrastructure, specialized training, and mentorship.