PMDC seeks students' mental health screening

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) has issued directives to all medical and dental institutions emphasizing the critical importance of promoting and safeguarding the mental health of students and faculty.

The council highlighted the need for proactive measures to identify and address mental health concerns, recognizing that academic environments in medical and dental colleges are intellectually rigorous and often psychologically demanding

The directives have been issued in response to growing concerns over the increasing incidence of suicide and severe psychological distress among students.

All institutions have been directed to implement structured mental health screening protocols. Regular mental health screening, along with accessible and well-organized counseling services, would help improve academic performance, support career development, and significantly enhance the overall well-being of future healthcare professionals.

These screenings are to be conducted at two key stages: first, at the time of student admissions to identify any pre-existing concerns and provide early support; and second, on an annual basis for undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as faculty, to promote psychological well-being throughout their academic and professional journey. Institutions have also been advised to use standardized and validated assessment tools.

The PM&DC has also directed institutions to promptly refer any student or faculty member identified through these screenings as requiring further evaluation or support to the Department of Psychiatry for comprehensive assessment, appropriate management, and continued follow-up.

Furthermore, in accordance with PM&DC standards, all institutions are required to establish and maintain a fully functional Department of Psychiatry, along with a dedicated counseling section, to ensure accessible and continuous mental health support services.

This unit must be adequately staffed and properly equipped to provide confidential psychological support, professional guidance, and timely intervention services.

The council noted that the responsibility for the prevention and management of psychological distress among students and faculty lies with the institutions

The implementation of systematic mental health screening, coupled with accessible and well-structured counseling services, is expected to enhance academic performance, support professional development, and significantly improve the overall well-being of future healthcare professionals, it added.