The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has directed all medical and dental institutions to implement structured mental health screening protocols in response to rising cases of suicide and psychological distress among students.
In an official statement, the council stressed the urgent need to safeguard the mental well-being of both students and faculty, highlighting the intense academic pressure in medical and dental colleges.
PMDC instructed institutions to introduce regular mental health screenings at two key stages: during student admissions to detect pre-existing concerns and annually for undergraduate, postgraduate students, and faculty members.
The council also advised the use of standardized and validated assessment tools.
The directive requires institutions to refer individuals identified with mental health concerns to their psychiatry departments for comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and follow-up care.
Additionally, PMDC has made it mandatory for all institutions to establish fully functional Departments of Psychiatry along with dedicated counselling units.
These facilities must be adequately staffed and equipped to provide confidential psychological support and timely interventions.
The council emphasized that institutions bear responsibility for preventing and managing psychological distress, adding that effective screening and counselling systems will enhance academic performance, support professional development, and improve overall well-being.
The move follows a series of tragic incidents in recent months, including suicides and attempts among students in institutions such as Fatima Jinnah Medical University and Muhammad Medical College.
PMDC has urged strict and immediate compliance, calling on institutions to treat the implementation of these measures as a top priority.
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