ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has made mental health screening compulsory in medical colleges across the country in response to growing concerns over student stress and rising suicide cases.
The council has issued formal directives to medical institutions, requiring immediate measures to protect the psychological well-being of both students and faculty members.
Under the new policy, mental health assessments will be conducted at the time of admission and repeated annually to help identify and address issues at an early stage. Officials said that regular screening would enable timely intervention and treatment of psychological conditions.
In addition, medical colleges have been instructed to establish dedicated Departments of Psychiatry along with counseling units. Students and staff experiencing mental health challenges are to be referred to qualified psychologists for professional support.
The council stated that effective screening and counseling mechanisms are expected to not only improve academic performance but also strengthen professional development among future healthcare practitioners.
Institutions have also been directed to ensure the availability of confidential and high-quality psychological services, supported by trained personnel and adequate facilities.
The PMDC emphasized that implementation of these measures is mandatory and warned that any delay or non-compliance will not be tolerated.