Oversight of mental health institutions in Punjab to increase: Chandigarh: Mental health institutions in Punjab will now be supervised under new rules. The Health Department has issued the notification of 'Punjab Mental Healthcare Rules-2026'. Provisional registration has been made mandatory for all mental health institutions except government institutions under these rules. new (…)
Oversight of mental health institutions in Punjab to increase: Chandigarh: Mental health institutions in Punjab will now be supervised under new rules. The Health Department has issued the notification of 'Punjab Mental Healthcare Rules-2026'. Provisional registration has been made mandatory for all mental health institutions except government institutions under these rules. The new rules provide for registration of mental health professionals with institutions, digital records and creation of Mental Health Review Boards in every district. Registered organizations will also be audited every three years.
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The command of the State Mental Health Authority rests with the Secretary level officer
The Administrative Secretary/Principal Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department will be the Chairman of the State Mental Health Authority. The post of CEO will not be below the rank of Deputy Secretary. Experts with 15 years of experience and representatives of patients/caregivers will be made members for three years. Maximum age of members shall be 67 years.
Registration is mandatory for private organizations
Provisional registration of all mental health institutions except Central Government institutions will be mandatory. A fee of Rs 20,000 will be charged from private institutions, while government institutions will be exempted from it. The registration will be valid for 12 months and the certificate will be displayed on the campus and website of the institute.
Registration of four categories of mental health professionals
Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatric Social Workers and Mental Health Nurses will be required to register with the State Authority under Form-D. For this, a fee of Rs 2 thousand has been prescribed and the registration certificate will be valid for five years.
Digital record of organizations and professionals
The State Authority will prepare a digital register under Form-F of all registered institutions and Form-G of professionals. The information of the institutions will be made public on the official website within 45 days of registration.
Mental Health Review Board in every district
Under the new rules, a Mental Health Review Board will be formed in every district. It will be headed by the District Judge or equivalent judicial officer. Nominated representative will be appointed within 90 days.