Punjab Government nominates 11 members to State Mental Health Authority

The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has nominated 11 non-official members to the State Mental Health Authority (SMHA). This move aims to strengthen mental healthcare oversight and protect the rights of individuals with mental illness in the state.

The newly appointed non-official members include psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric social workers, nurses, caregivers, NGO representatives, and persons with mental illness. This diverse representation is intended to ensure that policy is informed by both medical expertise and the lived experiences of patients and their families.

The SMHA serves as the state’s apex statutory body, responsible for implementing the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017. Its duties include regulating mental health setups, prescribing service standards, registering professionals, and advising the government on policy. This expansion coincides with the state’s efforts to grow mental health and de-addiction services through its flagship program, Yudh Nasehan Virudh.