Jigmi Wangdi

The PEMA Mental Health Symposium, focused on the global mental health crisis, brought together experts, advocates, and policymakers in Bhutan yesterday.

Organised under the guidance of Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen, the symposium aimed at fostering sustainable and meaningful dialogue on mental health, recognising it as a critical component of holistic well-being.

Dasho Dechen Wangmo, head of the PEMA Secretariat, highlighted the symposium’s intent. “The PEMA Mental Health Symposium was envisioned to create a platform for innovative, sustainable, and meaningful dialogue on one of the most pressing issues of our time—mental health.”

She acknowledged Bhutan’s unique focus on Gross National Happiness while recognising the need for enhanced efforts to translate this vision into tangible mental health outcomes.

She stressed on the responsibility of bridging the mental health service gap and urged stakeholders to cultivate an environment where individuals can thrive.

The event’s keynote speaker, Saima Wazed, regional director for WHO-Southeast Asia, delivered a sobering account of the mental health crisis in the region.

“Over 260 million people in the Southeast Asia region live with mental health conditions, and we see more than 200,000 suicides annually,” she said.

She linked the alarming rise in cases of anxiety and depression to the pandemic, which led to a 25 percent surge in these conditions. However, she shared her hopefulness, referencing the adoption of the Paro Declaration in 2022, which promotes universal, people-centred mental health care.

“This shift advocates for approaches that are holistic, community-based, and personalised, prioritising dignity and autonomy,” she said.

Saima Wazed commended Bhutan’s progress, particularly the PEMA initiative, which she described as a model for the region. “This initiative harmonises interventions and focuses on resilience and societal support, providing a blueprint for scaling mental health care in other settings.”

She stressed the importance of deinstitutionalisation, advocating for community-driven care and integration of mental health into broader social frameworks like education and employment.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Health (MoH), Pemba Wangchuk, outlined Bhutan’s multi-faceted approach to addressing mental health challenges, which include rising suicide rates and widespread stigma.

He explained that the ministry is working to integrate mental health into general healthcare services, recruit and train mental health professionals, and enhance early-career training in psychiatry and counselling.

“Mental health needs to be seen not in isolation but as an essential component of general health services,” Pemba Wangchuk said, adding that this integrated approach aims to address both physical and mental health cohesively.

Throughout the symposium, speakers called for collaborative, cross-sectoral approaches to mental health, recognising the influence of family, schools, and social factors on mental well-being.

Dasho Dechen Wangmo summarised this vision by emphasising the importance of fostering environments that support mental health at all life stages. “Through meaningful dialogue and interaction, we hope to explore ways to nurture mental well-being and provide people-centred mental health services.”

By fostering resilience, promoting mental health literacy, and integrating mental health into wider social systems, the Symposium hopes to inspire a more inclusive and compassionate society.