Our Story
Globally, mental health has often been overshadowed by other pressing health sector priorities, despite being an integral part of the overall wellbeing. In Bhutan, the Covid-19 pandemic brought this concern to light as Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen personally encountered the limitations of Bhutan’s mental health system through Her interactions with vulnerable individuals such as victims of domestic violence, mental health patients, and children in difficult circumstances. These sobering experiences served as the stimulus for Her Majesty to envision a stronger, more resilient mental health framework for the nation, setting in motion critical reforms.
In June 2022, The PEMA Secretariat was inaugurated by Her Majesty to drive this transformative endeavour forward. As the nodal agency for mental health, The PEMA Secretariat is tasked with leading Bhutan’s mental health agenda through strategic leadership, evidence-based solutions, and a comprehensive approach to care.
The PEMA represents the Lotus, embodying hope and resilience. Just as the Lotus blossoms, unstained by the murky water that it grows from, The PEMA reckons that individuals enduring mental health challenges have inherent potential to thrive in spite of the adversities. Under the benevolent leadership of Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, The PEMA resolves to create a society that promotes the wellbeing of all Bhutanese.
Our Mission
A society that promotes the well-being of all Bhutanese, supported by enabling mental health policies and programs, transformative multi-sectoral partnerships, and a proactive service delivery network.
Our Mandates
1.
Proactive and Responsive Mental Health Service Delivery Networks
The PEMA aims to establish and maintain a network of mental health services that are proactive and responsive to the needs of the Bhutanese population. This includes ensuring accessibility, quality, and timely delivery of mental health care services across the country through infrastructure development, human resource development and forming robust partnerships and networks.
2.
Enabling Mental Health System
The PEMA seeks to strengthen the overall mental health system in Bhutan. This involves routine engagement in review of policies and programmes for harmonization of efforts and services, resource mobilization and building robust information systems, thereby creating a supportive environment for mental health initiatives to thrive.
3.
Multisectoral Collaboration and Coordination
Recognizing the interconnected nature of mental health with various sectors of society, The PEMA facilitates partnerships among governmental departments, non-governmental organisations, community groups, and other stakeholders. This approach aims to integrate mental health into broader health and development agendas.
4.
Active Advocacy and Awareness on Prevention and Promotion of Mental Health
The PEMA is committed to advocating for mental health issues and raising awareness about prevention and promotion strategies. This includes educating the public, reducing the stigma associated with mental health conditions, and promoting positive mental well-being across all segments of Bhutanese society through a life course approach.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Reintegration Program
The Reintegration and Aftercare Programme 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 Yarjugang in collaboration with Royal Bhutan Police 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.