Hon’ble Dasho Dechen Wangmo, Head of The PEMA, gave a talk on “Nourishing Minds for a Healthier Future” at the National Youth Symposium 2024 on August 13th, held at Le Méridien, Thimphu. She highlighted how mental health and access to healthy and nutritious food are closely intertwined, noting that improving access to such food enhances mental health outcomes, which, in turn, boosts resilience and supports sustainability.

Hon’ble Dasho called for a transformative approach that integrates mental health awareness with equitable access to nutritious food, advocating for increased resources and strategies. This initiative aims to build a healthier, more resilient future by integrating mental health, sustainability, and youth leadership in agrifood systems.

The symposium was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Bhutan.