On 22 October 2026, the Punjab government launched SANGAT Mental Health Clubs in 40 colleges across the state. The programme aims to support youth wellbeing, promote early intervention and prevent substance abuse among young people. It forms part of the state government’s “Yudh Nashean Virudh” (War Against Drugs) campaign and is led by the Department of Higher Education in partnership with the Aditya Birla Education Trust (ABET) and Mpower.
Youth mental health and early intervention
Each participating college will train 25 students through a 14-hour Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) course. Participants will receive certification and training to recognise emotional distress and provide peer support. Across 40 colleges, the stated enrolment level amounts to 1,000 student places. The clubs will also organise campus activities to encourage discussion of emotional wellbeing and discourage substance use. Mental health first aid involves recognising signs of distress and offering initial support. It is distinct from clinical diagnosis and treatment, which are provided by qualified mental-health professionals. Early identification and referral to appropriate support services are relevant elements of mental-health and substance-use prevention.
Peer support on college campuses
The clubs provide a campus-based structure for student activities and peer support. Their stated functions include fostering open conversations about emotional wellbeing and discouraging substance use. At the launch event at Plaksha University in Mohali, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia interacted with student participants. Punjabi University, Patiala, began a three-day Youth Mental Health and Psychological First Aid Training for SANGAT club members on 29 September 2026. This training took place before the state-wide launch.
Punjab’s drug-prevention measures
SANGAT complements other education-sector measures against drug abuse in Punjab. In December 2025, 146 college teachers were trained as nodal officers for drug prevention. By October 2025, a 14-week anti-drug curriculum had been implemented in 3,600 government secondary schools, reaching more than 750,000 students.
Important Facts for Exams
- Yudh Nashean Virudh means “War Against Drugs”.
- The Department of Higher Education leads the SANGAT programme in partnership with ABET and Mpower.
- The SANGAT launch event took place at Plaksha University in Mohali.
- Punjabi University is located in Patiala.
The SANGAT programme covers 40 colleges, with 25 students per college scheduled for 14 hours of YMHFA training. Punjab’s earlier school-level anti-drug curriculum covered 3,600 government secondary schools and more than 750,000 students.
