Punjab State Mental Health Authority (SMHA) has firmly resolved that all 83 private psychiatric nursing homes and clinics operating across the state, must mandatorily register themselves. The decision was taken in a review meeting yesterday, which was convened to welcome the recent induction of 11 non-official members in the newly constituted SMHA to give fresh impetus to psychiatric care.

The meeting also considered the provisional registration of six shortlisted NGO-run Mental Health Establishments inspected to operate community Group Homes in compliance with the directives of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. It was attended by seasoned psychiatrists and other experts in the field.

Chairing the meeting, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh emphasised maintaining patient dignity and issued stern instructions prohibiting unlawful and dehumanising practices in all mental health establishments across Punjab. He also cautioned that archaic methods such as chaining, solitary seclusion, and administering electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) without anaesthesia and muscle relaxants are strictly prohibited under the law and will invite stringent penal consequences.