Punjab has taken a pioneering step towards integrating mental health and substance use disorder care into the mainstream healthcare system, starting right from the village level. Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr. Balbir Singh, today formally launched the pilot implementation of this project at Primary Health Centre, Boothgarh in Mohali.
Health Minister said that at present, treatment for mental health conditions in India is largely limited to the district level, leaving a huge treatment gap, with only 10–25% of patients receiving care. This gap is driven by limited awareness, stigma, poor accessibility, and affordability. To address these challenges, the project brings screening, treatment, and referral linkages closer to the community.
The project, supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and implemented with technical expertise from PGIMER, Chandigarh. This project is currently being carried out in seven states (Punjab, Assam, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Haryana).
Dr Balbir Singh said that in Punjab, Mohali district has been chosen as the pilot site. Listing the key features of the project, he stated that community awareness drives such as street plays, awareness campaigns, and training of frontline health workers to reduce stigma have been undertaken.
Screening and treatment for common mental health disorders have been started at Health & Wellness Centres for the first time by the Community Health Officers. This project will strengthened referral linkages from village-level centres to PHCs and district hospitals with provision of essential psychiatric medications at PHC level.
A secure mobile app has been developed to support screening, treatment, and referral. Capacity-building of healthcare staff will be done through recurrent training, feedback, and handholding. After successful training of frontline health workers and PHC Medical Officers, screening and treatment have already started in Gharuan Block.
With today’s launch, implementation will now begin at Boothgarh Block from September 1, 2025. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Balbir Singh emphasized, “Mental health is as important as physical health. By bringing mental health care to the doorstep of villagers, we are not only reducing stigma but also ensuring timely treatment.
This pilot will form the foundation for National Mental Health Programme 2.0.” He further urged Community Health Officers, ASHAs, and PHC Medical Officers to actively use their training and dedicate themselves to supporting people in mental distress, calling them the “key drivers of this historic initiative.”
This innovative model will serve as a blueprint for scaling up village-level mental healthcare across Punjab and the country. Dr. Balbir Singh also announced that the Bhagwant Singh Mann Government will further strengthen services at 225 District, Sub-Division, and PHC-level facilities by making them functional 24x7.
Each facility will be staffed with 4–5 doctors and additional nursing staff in the coming days. “The State Government is committed to providing both basic and specialised health services to every citizen of Punjab,” he added.
Among the prominent persons present included Dr Abhishek from PGIMER who will monitor the project, Civil Surgeon Dr Sangeeta Jain, SDM Kharar Mrs Divya P, SP Mullanpur Mohit Aggarwal, SMOs Dr Alakhot Kaur, Dr Preet Kanwal, SMO Dr Amit, Ayurvedic Medical Officer Arun Bansal.