The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has ordered annual mental health screening for around 22,500 medical and dental students, along with faculty and staff, as part of a new effort to identify psychological distress and suicide risk at an early stage.
The initiative is aimed at helping medical and dental institutions identify students and employees who may be experiencing mental health difficulties and connect them with appropriate support before their condition becomes more serious.
PMDC President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj announced the measures while speaking at the Pakistan Global Mental Health Summit 2026, where Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal launched the National Mental Health Policy 2026-2035.
Annual Mental Health Screening Introduced
Under the new initiative, medical and dental students will undergo mental health screening on an annual basis.
The screening will also cover faculty and staff, allowing institutions to identify signs of psychological distress among people working and studying in medical and dental colleges.
According to Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj, the initiative is intended to identify individuals facing emotional distress or other mental health concerns at an early stage.
Early identification can allow institutions to provide appropriate guidance, counselling and referrals before problems become more severe.
The initiative also reflects growing attention toward mental health within medical education, where students often face demanding academic schedules and significant educational pressures.
Mental Health Made a Compulsory Subject
PMDC has also made mental health an independent and compulsory subject in undergraduate medical and dental education.
The council has increased the amount of mental health teaching from 50 hours to 175 hours, with plans to increase it further to 200 hours.
The expanded curriculum is intended to give future doctors and dentists greater knowledge about mental health conditions and help them recognise symptoms among patients.
Medical professionals are often among the first points of contact for people experiencing psychological difficulties. Better training could therefore help doctors identify concerns earlier and guide patients toward appropriate care.
Colleges Directed to Establish Mental Health Centres
Medical and dental colleges have also been directed to establish primary mental health care centres.
These centres are expected to provide support and referral services for students, faculty, staff and other individuals who may require assistance.
The availability of support within educational institutions could make it easier for students to seek help without having to navigate the healthcare system on their own.
Such facilities can also help colleges create a more supportive environment in which mental health concerns can be discussed without unnecessary stigma.
Pakistan Faces Significant Mental Health Challenges
The PMDC measures come as new national data highlights the scale of mental health concerns in Pakistan.
According to the first nationally representative psychiatric survey mentioned at the summit, 32.3% of adults, or nearly one in three Pakistanis, were found to be living with a diagnosable mental or behavioural disorder.
The findings indicate that mental health conditions represent a significant public health issue requiring greater attention, trained professionals and accessible services.
The study also reported that 6.2% of participants had experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviour during the previous month, while 1.1% reported having attempted suicide at some point in their lives.
The figures have added urgency to calls for stronger mental health services and early identification of people who may need professional support.
Experts Call for Better Mental Health Services
Prof. Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Afridi, professor emeritus of psychiatry and a co-author of the study, said the findings should help guide policymaking and workforce planning.
He also highlighted the importance of expanding community-based mental health services.
A stronger community-based system could make mental health support more accessible beyond major hospitals and specialist facilities.
The findings may also help policymakers determine where additional resources, trained professionals and support programmes are needed.
Focus on Future Doctors and Dentists
The PMDC initiative places particular emphasis on medical and dental students because they are preparing for professions that can involve demanding academic and professional responsibilities.
By incorporating mental health education into undergraduate training, the council aims to ensure that future doctors and dentists are better equipped to recognise psychological conditions.
The expanded teaching programme could also help medical students develop a better understanding of their own mental wellbeing and the importance of seeking professional assistance when necessary.
A Wider Shift Toward Mental Health Awareness
The introduction of annual screening, compulsory mental health education and dedicated support centres represents a broader shift toward treating mental health as an important part of healthcare and medical education.
The measures announced by PMDC are expected to give institutions a structured framework for identifying concerns and connecting affected individuals with professional services.
With mental health conditions affecting a significant proportion of the population, experts have increasingly called for stronger awareness, early intervention and accessible treatment.
For medical and dental colleges, the new requirements could make mental health support a more visible and integrated part of campus life.
The initiative also underlines the importance of creating an environment where students and staff can discuss psychological difficulties without fear of stigma.
As PMDC moves forward with the screening and curriculum changes, the effectiveness of the programme will depend on the availability of qualified professionals, confidential assessment systems and accessible follow-up services.
Also read: PMDC Announces MDCAT 2026 Schedule
