PMDC orders mental health screening in medical colleges amid rising suicide concerns

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has directed all medical and dental institutions to introduce structured mental health screening protocols amid growing concerns over increasing incidents of suicide and severe psychological distress among students.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the council stressed the “critical importance of promoting and safeguarding the mental health of students and faculty,” noting that medical education environments are often highly demanding and psychologically challenging.

The PMDC said all institutions must adopt proactive measures to identify and address mental health issues early. It added that regular screening and accessible counselling services would not only support students’ well-being but also improve academic performance and professional development.

According to the directives, mental health screenings will be conducted at two key stages, with one at the time of student admission to identify any pre-existing concerns, and another on an annual basis for undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as faculty members.

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— Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (@pmdcofficial) April 29, 2026

Institutions have been instructed to use standardised and validated assessment tools for these screenings. Any student or staff member identified as needing further support must be referred to a Department of Psychiatry for comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and follow-up.

The PMDC further directed all institutions to establish and maintain fully functional psychiatry departments along with dedicated counselling services. These facilities must be properly staffed and equipped to provide confidential psychological support and timely intervention.

The council emphasised that responsibility for preventing and managing psychological distress lies with the institutions themselves. It urged strict and immediate compliance with the new directives, calling the matter a top priority to be implemented without delay.

PMDC said that these measures are expected to strengthen mental health support systems across medical education institutions and contribute to the overall well-being of future healthcare professionals.