Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen graced the opening ceremony of the National Recovery Symposium, which marks the first annual PEMA Symposium on Mental Health. The three-day event was organized with the theme “Substance use disorder is preventable and treatable, and recovery is possible”.

The National Recovery Symposium brought together professionals, policymakers, community leaders, family members and individuals in recovery to strengthen care and aftercare services for individuals with substance use disorder, and foster a robust recovery community.

The Symposium included a Recovery Plenary and two days of concurrent workshops. The Recovery Plenary included topics such as Demystifying Substance Use Disorder (SUD); Breaking the Stigma; Importance of Peer Support in Recovery; and Family Dynamics and Support. The workshops covered Pharmacological Interventions for Alcohol and Opioid Dependence for health officials; Universal Prevention Curriculum- Core Course for principals, school guidance counsellors and teachers; Family Counselling and Support for family members; and 12 Steps Programme for recovering substance users.

On the third day, the Hon’ble Prime Minister interacted with the participants of the Symposium at length and acknowledged the contributions of the recovering substance users in nation building. The three-day program ended with a Recovery Countdown which was attended by Dasho Dechen Wangmo, Hon’ble Sowai Lyonpo and the Chairperson of The PEMA Board as the guest of honour. Other distinguished officials in attendance included the Members of The PEMA Board. Her Excellency pointed out the substance use as an industry that thrives at the expense of our youth and the nation.