Chandigarh, October 10 — Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh on Friday launched the “Punjab State Mental Health Policy” on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, aiming to promote mental well-being and ensure access to quality mental health care for all residents of the state.
Dr. Balbir Singh said the policy was designed to guarantee the right to mental health for everyone. “It is a great tragedy that many mentally affected persons suffer in silence, which worsens their condition. Our commitment is to integrate mental health services into the primary health care system so that those seeking help receive immediate support and quality treatment without delay,” he added.
The minister said that the policy will prioritize mental health care for the most vulnerable, particularly women, who often face social and domestic pressures affecting their mental well-being. “The policy mandates a gender-sensitive approach, ensuring women can access services in a safe, confidential, and compassionate manner,” he said.
Addressing this year’s World Mental Health Day theme, ‘Access to Services: Mental Health in Disasters and Emergencies,’ Dr. Balbir Singh noted that Punjab has faced serious emergencies such as Operation Sandhur and recent floods, which caused significant psychological trauma through loss of life and livelihoods. “Such disasters make a robust mental health care system not just a service but a necessity,” he said.
The State Mental Health Policy is founded on principles of equity, justice, and integrated care. It aims to enhance the capacity of mental health services across Punjab by increasing the number of trained mental health professionals and strengthening the state’s ability to respond effectively to mental health needs in both everyday and emergency situations.
