Photo Soruce: Babushahi Bureau
Punjab to recruit 17 mental health professionals for anti-drug drive
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, July 31, 2026: The Punjab government is set to open applications in early August for the second cohort of its Leadership in Mental Health Programme (LMHP), an initiative aimed at strengthening mental healthcare, rehabilitation and community-based support under the state’s anti-drug campaign.
Launched in February 2026, the programme is described as India’s first fellowship focused on addressing substance abuse through mental health leadership. Thirteen fellows from its inaugural cohort are currently working across Punjab to strengthen healthcare services and promote a treatment- and community-focused approach to tackling drug addiction.
The second cohort will include 10 fellows and seven Senior Associates, with the aim of developing a state-wide network of trained professionals across all 23 districts of Punjab.
The programme functions under the Department of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with the state’s Data Intelligence and Technical Support Unit. It brings together professionals from diverse fields, including psychology, public health and social work, who will support Punjab’s anti-drug efforts for a period of two years.
Selected candidates undergo intensive training in psychosocial interventions, relapse prevention, programme management, community-based rehabilitation and leadership. The training is being supported by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, which serves as the programme’s selection-cum-knowledge partner.
Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh said the initiative combines leadership with empathy and seeks to restore hope and rebuild families affected by substance abuse.
“Yudh Nashean Virudh is not just an initiative against drugs; it is a movement to reclaim Punjab’s youth,” the minister said.
He added that while strict action was being taken against drug peddlers and traffickers, the government was equally focused on helping people affected by addiction return to a life of dignity and preventing young people from falling into substance abuse.
Dr Balbir Singh said making Punjab addiction-free would require enforcement, treatment and prevention to work together, supported by a strong healthcare system and community participation.
During their tenure, the fellows work at district hospitals, de-addiction centres and rehabilitation facilities, gaining practical experience in addressing substance use as a wider social and public health issue. They interact with affected families, help address crises linked to addiction, connect individuals with treatment services and support relapse prevention and long-term rehabilitation.
The fellows also focus on reducing the stigma surrounding addiction, strengthening community engagement and ensuring continuity of care after individuals complete de-addiction and rehabilitation programmes.
Beyond providing leadership at the district level, the first cohort is supporting healthcare workers, strengthening service delivery and helping institutionalise effective practices in the state’s anti-drug campaign.
The government said the programme reflects Punjab’s effort to place mental healthcare and rehabilitation at the centre of the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign, recognising that the fight against drugs involves not only curbing supply but also supporting recovery, rebuilding families and helping affected individuals reintegrate into society.