ABOUT
OUR MANDATES
The PEMA Secretariat is guided by its mandate to narrow the mental health care gap by providing comprehensive mental health services. Embracing the holistic and continuum of care approach, our mandates are subsumed through four core pillars – Prevention and Engagement programmes, Response Services, Treatment and Rehabilitation, and Reintegration and Aftercare Programmes.
Touching People, Building Lives
Pillar One
Prevention and Engagement Programmes
Our prevention and engagement programmes aim to improve mental health literacy by employing universal, selective, and targeted strategies to build resilience in individuals and society. These initiatives are implemented proactively in partnership with stakeholders such as educational and monastic institutions, the health sector, justice sectors, local governments, and civil society organizations, working together to strengthen and adapt interventions that are effective, targeted and evidence based. The programmes also emphasize generating evidence and recommendations to support national policy and legislative actions.
Pillar Two
Response Services
Response services provide acute care and support for people suffering from mental health conditions and those experiencing protection issues. It provides helpline services, counselling services and targeted protection and empowerment services for survivors of violence, children in conflict with law, children and women in difficult circumstances, including adoption and foster home arrangements. To ensure seamless transition and integration, through PEMA home, we provide shelter services for children in difficult circumstances. The program also manages 24/7 hotline services for mental health.
Pillar Three
Treatment and Rehabilitation Services
Our treatment and rehabilitation services provide comprehensive care for individuals struggling with mental health and substance use disorders (SUD) through both inpatient and outpatient based care. To ensure long term recovery, we offer continuing care services, including support groups and relapse prevention programmes. The Program provides services through health facilities, in prison and communities. Under the leadership of Her Majesty, The Pema Centre, 60 bedded mental health hospital and 200 bedded national rehabilitation centre will cater to specialised state of the art mental health and rehabilitation services. Prison-based SUD treatment and care services are also provided to drug related convicts serving prison terms at Central and District Prisons in the country.
Pillar Four
Reintegration and Aftercare Programmes
The reintegration and aftercare programmes supports the reintegration of affected populations such as, substance users, mental health patients, and vulnerable groups like individuals in difficult circumstances and incarcerated individuals. It focuses on building resilience and economic empowerment by promoting recovery, stability, and well-being through skill development, economic opportunities, and employment pathways. A key initiative is the establishment of the Reintegration and Aftercare Centre in Yarju, Wangduephodrang in collaboration with the Royal Bhutan Police, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, and other key partners, which will provide vocational training, enterprise development, and post-incarceration support. Furthermore, the program includes sober recreational facilities and outreach services to sustain long-term recovery and reintegration into society.