ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) on Wednesday directed all medical and dental institutions to implement “structured mental health screening protocols” in response to “growing concerns over the increasing incidents of suicide and severe psychological distress among students”.

In a statement, the council issued directives to all medical and dental institutions, emphasising the “critical importance of promoting and safeguarding the mental health of students and faculty”.

It also highlighted the need for proactive measures to identify and address mental health concerns, recognising that academic environments in medical and dental colleges were intellectually rigorous and often psychologically demanding.

“Keeping in view all institutions have been directed to implement structured mental health screening protocols,” the statement said, adding that regular mental health screening, along with easy-to-access and well-organised counselling services, will help improve academic performance, support career growth, and greatly improve the overall well-being of future healthcare professionals.

According to the handout, 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. Further, on an annual basis, for undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as faculty, the statement said.

It advised the institutions to “utilise standardised and validated assessment tools”.

The PMDC also directed institutions to promptly refer any student or faculty member who was identified through the screenings as requiring further evaluation or support to the Department of Psychiatry for comprehensive assessment, appropriate management and ongoing follow-up.

“Furthermore, in accordance with PMDC standards, all institutions have to establish and maintain a fully functional Department of Psychiatry, along with a dedicated counselling section, to ensure accessible and continuous mental health support services,” the statement said.

It further said that the department must be adequately staffed and appropriately equipped to deliver confidential psychological support, professional guidance, and timely intervention services, noting that “the responsibility for the prevention and management of psychological distress among students and faculty rests with the institutions”.

The council maintained that the “implementation of systematic mental health screening, coupled with accessible and well-structured counselling services, is expected to enhance academic performance, support professional development, and significantly improve the overall well-being of future healthcare professionals”.

“All institutions are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance with these requirements and undertake prompt and effective measures for their implementation. This matter must be treated as a priority and executed without delay,” the statement concluded.

In January, a student at a private university in Lahore had attempted suicide by jumping from the second floor. A month prior to the incident, a male student at the same university had also ended his life by jumping from the varsity’s fourth floor.

In February, a female student died after jumping from the fourth floor of a hostel at Fatima Jinnah Medical University in Lahore.

Earlier this month, a medical student at the Muhammad Medical College in Mirpurkhas had also taken her life.