Punjab Expands Mental Health Fellowship to Fight Drugs

Punjab is set to significantly expand its Leadership in Mental Health Programme (LMHP) fellowship, a key initiative within its campaign against substance abuse. Applications for the second cohort will open in early August, with the program aiming to reach all 23 districts across the state.

The LMHP, launched in February 2026 under the "Yudh Nashean Virudh" campaign, is designed to bolster prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services. This complements enforcement efforts against drug trafficking by strengthening mental healthcare infrastructure.

The second cohort will include 10 fellows and seven senior associates, creating a broader network of professionals. Participants receive training in psychosocial interventions, relapse prevention, and community-based rehabilitation, with academic support from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.

Fellows, from backgrounds in psychology, public health, and social work, are deployed for two years. Their roles involve counseling, strengthening rehabilitation services, supporting continuity of care, and fostering community participation in recovery. The program also aims to reduce stigma and promote early intervention.

Punjab's Health Minister, Dr. Balbir Singh, emphasized that addressing substance abuse requires both law enforcement and public health responses. The fellowship ensures mental health services are integral to the state's anti-drug strategy, improving access to psychosocial support and coordinating community and healthcare efforts for long-term recovery.