Dr. Balbir Singh Unveils Punjab’s New Mental Health Policy, Emphasizing Care, Awareness, and Resilience
On 10 October 2025, Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh unveiled the Punjab State Mental Health Policy. He stated that this policy is a testament to the Punjab government’s commitment to enhancing the physical, mental, and social well-being of every person in Punjab.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has introduced a new mental health policy. Dr. Balbir Singh’s announcement on major issues.
Mental health issues have increased in Punjab. There were 10 lakh patients of substance abuse undergoing treatment, out of which 7 lakh were at private centers.
Reasons Behind Coming Up with a New Mental Health Policy.
- Due to Operation Sindoor, people on both sides of the border were stressed. Drones were moving around the heads of people, and Mortars were falling from above. People of Punjab were working. The effects of it were devastating. He said that he worked in Kashmir during the floods of 1980, 1988, and 1993. He also said that he had never seen such a long-lasting flood for a long time. The foods have caused much damage.
- Dr. Balbir Singh’s added, “The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is mental health in catastrophes and natural disasters. Almost 130 million people are affected. The catastrophe that is happening in Gaza and Ukraine, and the natural disaster like floods in Punjab in such a situation, people suffer a lot of losses. People’s crops and land are gone, the land is eroded, and so much sand has come on it that no crops will grow on it. The soil is no longer fertile, and people have to work hard again. A person is in debt, his household goods have been damaged, and his dairy cattle are also gone. So, in such a situation, the importance of mental health increases a lot.”
- Dr. Balbir Singh’s expressed that the guru mantra given by our gurus is “Chardi Kala”. It means to remain positive in both happiness and sorrow. In the Bani, the mind is also the form of light, our own identity. He said a healthy body is necessary for a healthy mind.
- He also said that because of illness job is stressful, headaches and migraine will be a problem. Because of stress you start breathing faster and your heart rate increases.
- Furthermore, the floods, people deported from the USA or other countries in a humiliating way, and the drug epidemic in Punjab result in increased mental disorders.
- Stigma attached to mental illness, and people do not tell anyone. Many celebrities shared their stories with the Punjab government.
- Dr. Balbir Singh explained that if a person goes to a local clinic, dispensary, or government hospital. CHO, medical staff, and nursing staff should be aware of mental disorders and their symptoms so that they can be managed there.
- The government aims to treat them as a primary healthcare service to reduce the stigma associated with it.
- Even in schools, children have exams and other stressful periods. They should be educated on how to cope with them.
Overall, the government wants to have a gender sensitive approach, ensuring they have access to safe and empathetic mental health services.
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