Islamabad: In a significant policy shift triggered by growing reports of suicides and severe psychological distress among students, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has directed all medical and dental institutions across the country to implement mandatory mental health screening protocols for students and faculty, making psychological assessment and support services a core requirement within academic settings.
The directive, issued on April 29 on the instructions of PMDC President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj, requires institutions to introduce structured, regular mental health screenings at multiple stages of academic and professional life, alongside establishing fully functional psychiatry departments and dedicated counseling services.
The move comes against the backdrop of increasing concern within regulatory and academic circles over the intense academic pressure, burnout, and untreated mental health issues among medical and dental students, which experts say have contributed to a troubling rise in self-harm incidents and psychological crises in recent years.
Under the new policy, all institutions have been directed to conduct mental health screening at the time of admissions to identify pre-existing psychological concerns and provide early intervention. In addition, annual screenings will now be mandatory for undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as faculty members, aimed at ensuring continuous monitoring of mental well-being throughout their academic and professional journey.
The council has instructed institutions to use standardized and validated assessment tools for these screenings to ensure reliability and consistency, while those identified as at risk or in need of support must be promptly referred to psychiatry departments for detailed evaluation, treatment and follow-up.
As part of the directive, medical and dental colleges are now required to establish and maintain fully operational Departments of Psychiatry along with dedicated counseling sections, ensuring that students and faculty have access to confidential psychological support, professional guidance and timely interventions.
Officials said the responsibility for preventing and managing psychological distress has been placed squarely on institutions, which must ensure that these services are adequately staffed, properly equipped and easily accessible.
The PM&DC has emphasized strict and immediate compliance with the directive, terming mental health support a priority area that can no longer be overlooked within the country’s medical education system.
Mental health experts have long warned that Pakistan’s medical students face a uniquely high burden of stress due to demanding curricula, long hours of study, competitive environments and limited support systems, often compounded by social stigma surrounding mental health care.
Regulatory efforts to address these challenges have remained limited in the past, with most institutions lacking structured screening mechanisms or dedicated counseling services, leaving many students to cope without professional help.
Officials believe that the introduction of systematic screening and institutionalized support services will not only help in early detection of mental health issues but also improve academic performance, reduce dropout rates and support the development of healthier healthcare professionals.
The directive marks one of the most comprehensive attempts by the PM&DC to formally integrate mental health into medical education governance, signaling a shift towards a more holistic approach to training future doctors and dentists in Pakistan.
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