— COUNTRY’S FIRST FELLOWSHIP AGAINST SUBSTANCE-ABUSE TO BRING 35 MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO PUNJAB: HEALTH MINISTER
— PROGRAMME IS A JOINT COLLABORATION BETWEEN HEALTH DEPARTMENT, DR BR AMBEDKAR INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES MOHALI & TATA INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES MUMBAI
CHANDIGARH, November 21:
In a significant step to strengthen the state’s fight against substance abuse under the ongoing anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Friday launched the ‘Leadership in Mental Health Programme’ – the country’s first fellowship dedicated to reducing substance-use and promoting mental wellbeing. This pioneering initiative is a joint collaboration between the Health Department Punjab, Dr BR Ambedkar Institute of Medical Sciences, Mohali, and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai.
Detailing about the initiative, Dr Balbir Singh said that this fellowship will bring 35 mental health professionals from across India and the globe to bolster prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services in all 23 districts of Punjab. “Only a swasth Punjab can be a Rangla Punjab. To counter the rising epidemic of drug-abuse, Punjab needs talented and compassionate youth to lead our fight against ignorance, stigma, and apathy,” he added.
Speaking about the programme’s structure, Dr Balbir Singh informed that the two-year fellowship will provide early-career professionals with a unique opportunity to work under the Data Intelligence and Technical Support Unit, which is leading a comprehensive response against substance abuse in Punjab. The fellows will undergo a comprehensive two-week induction programme by TISS Mumbai before their field deployment.
Emphasising the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government’s commitment to institutionalising mental health care, Dr Balbir Singh said, “The launch of the Leadership in Mental Health Programme makes the Government’s focus and commitment to ensure mental wellbeing of every person in Punjab more clear than ever. From public grounds for physical activities to unique fellowships to improve the state’s mental health services, we are working towards providing accessible and compassionate healthcare to the people of Punjab.”
Talking about the implementation, Dr Balbir Singh said that out of the 35 fellows, 23 will be posted in each district of Punjab, 10 fellows in five Cluster Resource Centres, and two at the DITSU headquarters in Mohali.
The fellows will receive a monthly remuneration of ₹60,000 and will benefit from specialised training, mentorship, and hands-on experience in public health infrastructure.
