Chandigarh, Oct 23: State authorities rolled out the SANGAT Mental Health Club network across 40 higher education institutions to integrate mental healthcare directly into Punjab’s broader anti-drug strategy. Executed through Mpower’s Counselling and Outreach for Peer Empowerment framework, the program focuses on early identification of emotional struggles before they escalate into substance dependency.
During the project kickoff, ABET Founder Neerja Birla and media personality Aparshakti Khurana stressed the importance of sustainable, multi-stakeholder models in supporting youth wellbeing. Under the new framework, student members will host campus activities to normalize discussions around mental health, supported by a core team of 25 certified student first aiders trained in every participating college.
Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains reaffirmed the administration’s resolve to foster healthier choices among students, noting that helping peers steer away from harmful influences is a vital civic responsibility. The initiative brings together educators, mental health professionals, and community leaders to create lasting support systems across academic campuses statewide.
