NEW DELHI: Reinforcing its focus on tackling substance abuse through a rehabilitation-led approach, the Punjab government launched the Leadership in Mental Health Programme (LMHP), India’s first fellowship against substance abuse, in February 2026. Thirteen fellows from the inaugural cohort are currently working across Punjab to strengthen mental healthcare services and support the state’s anti-drug efforts.The fellows are deployed under the Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann-led Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign, helping integrate mental healthcare and community-based rehabilitation into the state’s fight against drugs. The initiative aims to strengthen rehabilitation services while placing mental health at the centre of Punjab’s anti-drug strategy.The government is now preparing to launch applications for the programme’s second cohort, comprising 10 fellows and seven Senior Associates, with the goal of building a statewide network of trained young professionals across all 23 districts.Implemented by the Department of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with the state’s Data Intelligence and Technical Support Unit, the programme is designed to develop mental health leaders capable of driving evidence-based prevention, treatment and rehabilitation initiatives. The fellows, selected through a rigorous process, come from diverse fields including psychology, public health and social work and commit to supporting the state’s anti-drug campaign for two years.As part of the programme, they receive intensive training in psychosocial interventions, relapse prevention, programme management, community-based rehabilitation and leadership. The training is delivered with support from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, the programme’s selection and knowledge partner.Health minister Balbir Singh said the fellowship seeks to combine leadership with empathy while strengthening Punjab’s response to substance abuse. “Yudh Nashean Virudh is not just an initiative against drugs; it is a movement to reclaim Punjab’s youth. While strict action is being taken against drug peddlers and traffickers, we are equally committed to helping every victim of drug abuse return to a life full of dignity and prevent the youth from falling into the trap of addiction. Leadership in Mental Health Programme reflects our belief that making Punjab addiction-free is possible only when enforcement, treatment, and prevention work hand-in-hand and backed by strong healthcare setup and community support,” he said.
Join conversation
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
The minister said addiction should be treated as a chronic health condition requiring sustained care. During their postings at district hospitals and de-addiction and rehabilitation centres, fellows work with patients and families, facilitate treatment, support relapse prevention and promote community-based rehabilitation. They also focus on reducing stigma, encouraging community participation and ensuring continuity of care after rehabilitation.Beyond district-level interventions, the first cohort is also supporting healthcare workers, strengthening service delivery and helping institutionalise best practices in Punjab’s fight against substance abuse.According to the government, the programme is aimed at improving the way communities respond to substance use disorders by embedding mental health into the state’s broader anti-drug campaign, with rehabilitation and long-term recovery forming a key part of the strategy.
