On World Mental Health Day, Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen graced the closing of the Fourth PEMA Symposium and the consecration of the PEMA Centre in Thimphu today. The Centre will be Bhutan’s apex mental health hospital, providing a range of mental health services under one roof.
The three-day symposium, held at PEMA Rehab under the theme “Inclusive Mental Wellbeing: Transforming Vulnerabilities to Hope, Healing and Human Connection,” brought together international and local experts and, stakeholders.
The symposium opened a conversation on mental health and how to make it more proactive, inclusive and compassionate in Bhutan.
Addressing the gathering, Her Majesty delivered a powerful message on the responsibility of care and protection for the vulnerable, noting that vulnerability is part of being human. Her Majesty’s address touched on the precious lives lost to suicide, the importance of timely action, the need to protect children from violence, and the call for stronger laws against sexual violence against children. Her Majesty spoke of the responsibility to provide ongoing support for rehabilitation and recovery, and of building a society where everyone feels safe, supported, valued and connected, with progress measured by the difference made in people’s lives.
During the ceremony, Her Majesty launched three initiatives, namely, Sem Kham First Aid, Mental Health in Emergencies, and the National Care Pathways for Child Protection Services.
Sem Kham First Aid will serve as an integral free self-help zone to raise awareness about mental health, while Mental Health in Emergencies will provide psychiatric services to the public during disasters and crises.
Meanwhile, the National Care Pathways for Child Protection Services will be an important guideline to ensure children at risk receive appropriate protection and support at every stage.
Her Majesty then graced the consecration of the PEMA Centre. The Centre brings together outpatient, inpatient and day-care services under one roof, along with child protection services, and will serve as the national hub guiding and strengthening mental health care across the country.
The Centre also includes a dedicated clinic for children and adolescents, a structured programme for addiction recovery, and specialised inpatient units, including a closed ward for patients in crisis.
With the inauguration, Bhutan recommits to strengthening mental health care by ensuring people with mental health difficulties can access timely, appropriate and compassionate care.
Singye Dema
