Chandigarh, August 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Punjab government is moving to strengthen and revitalise the State Mental Health Authority (SMHA), with plans to include persons with mental illness, caregivers, psychiatrists, NGOs and other stakeholders in the statutory body.
The initiative, being undertaken by the Bhagwant Mann-led government, is aimed at strengthening the regulation of mental healthcare services, expanding access to quality care and ensuring greater protection of the dignity and legal rights of persons with mental illness.
The SMHA is the state’s apex statutory body for implementing the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. Its responsibilities include registration and supervision of mental health establishments, prescribing quality and service standards, registration of specified mental health professionals and advising the government on mental health policy.
The authority is also responsible for ensuring implementation of rights guaranteed to persons with mental illness under the Act.
The framework provides for Mental Health Review Boards (MHRBs) at the district level. Chaired by a District Judge or eligible judicial officer, these boards provide an independent mechanism to review admissions and treatment decisions, hear complaints concerning rights violations, examine advance directives and nominated representatives, and inspect mental health establishments where required.
The SMHA brings together senior officials from health, medical education and social welfare departments and is chaired by the Principal Secretary, Health Department. The state has nominated non-official members and is in the process of adding representatives of persons with mental illness, caregivers, psychiatrists, NGOs and other stakeholders.
The move comes as Punjab expands district-level mental healthcare through tele-mental health services, counselling and community-based interventions. The government is also seeking to integrate these initiatives with its flagship anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nashean Virudh, within a stronger regulatory framework.
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said greater community participation in the authority would strengthen safeguards for the autonomy, dignity and legal rights of persons with mental illness, including those affected by addiction.
“Participation of community members in SMHA will help ensure even stronger safeguards for the autonomy, dignity, and legal rights of persons who suffer from mental illness, as envisioned under the Mental Healthcare Act, including those suffering from addiction,” he said.
He said the revitalisation of the authority was intended to create a patient-centric and rights-based mental healthcare system that was more accountable and responsive to the growing demand for mental health and de-addiction services across Punjab.
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