To strengthen child protection, prevent domestic violence and promote mental wellbeing in the communities more than 200 counselling professionals from across the country came together for the 5th Biennial Bhutan Counselling conference which began in Thimphu today.
Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck graced the first day of the conference. Her Majesty emphasized that the need for an effective counselling, which today is paramount across all sections of the society.
“During the course of my work, I have observed that along with its benefits modernisation continues to propose new challenges in our society, challenges that impact social, economic, spiritual and career aspirations of our people across all ages. Our society is increasingly witnessing a rising burden of mental health problems and illnesses, gender-based violence and youth-related issues such as substance abuse, suicide and problems related to sexual and reproductive health. The impacts of these challenges on our people, especially our youth is profound and a need for psychological and social comforts is very evident.”
During the three-day conference, the participants will be attending sessions on global counselling movement, enhancing creativity in counselling using transpersonal models, prevention of substance use and related problem behaviours, early identification and safe referrals for child protection. They will also be orientated to acts, policies and procedures of childcare and protection and prevention of domestic violence.
110 additional counsellors who have met the standards and qualifications were also certified as Bhutan national certified counsellors.
Her Majesty also inaugurated an exhibition on cottage enterprise for paper and textile recycling for the environment and livelihood for women in Bhutan which is a partnership project between RENEW and South Asian Forum for Environment.
Phub Gyem
