Jigmi Wangdi
Bhutan is witnessing an alarming increase in mental health issues, with a nearly threefold increase in severe cases such as psychosis and a marked rise in anxiety and depression.
These statistics highlight the urgent need for effective interventions and broader awareness.
Dasho Dechen Wangmo, Head of The PEMA Secretariat, shared key insights into this growing concern and the steps being taken to address it.
According to recent data, psychosis cases in Bhutan escalated from 391 in 2019 to 1,109 in 2023, a staggering 184 percent rise in just four years. Similarly, depression cases surged by 252 percent, from 762 in 2019 to 2,687 in 2023, while anxiety cases jumped 175 percent over the same period.
Dasho Dechen Wangmo highlighted that this escalation spans various mental health conditions, ranging from severe issues like psychosis to more common concerns such as anxiety and depression.
Despite being a newly established organisation, The PEMA has been making strides in raising awareness and providing support. “We have had over 1,061 calls to our helplines since we took over the service,” she said. “And majority of these calls were related to anxiety and depression.”
However, she said that much more needs to be done. “There is a greater opportunity to make people aware of services of mental well-being, and how important mental health is.”
The stigma surrounding mental health has deterred people from seeking help, but this is beginning to change.
Dasho Dechen Wangmo said Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen’s leadership has played a critical role in encouraging open conversations about mental health. “Today, a lot of things that would have remained silent, hidden, not discussed are coming to light. People are saying ‘yes, I have depression, yes, I have psychosis, I want to go and see a psychiatrist’,” she shared.
This shift has resulted in more people coming forward to access services, a trend she attributed to greater awareness and the availability of resources.
The rise in suicide cases remains a particularly troubling aspect of the mental health crisis.
Bhutan recorded 103 suicide cases in 2020, a concerning trend given the country’s small population.
“Suicide is very alarming for a small country like ours. It was also the very reason why Her Majesty initiated The PEMA, because the suicide numbers were going up, and there were no interventions,” she said.
The PEMA has initiated post-vention services to support families and friends after a suicide, but Dasho Dechen Wangmo emphasised the need for a more comprehensive approach to tackle the root causes and prevent further tragedies.
The shortage of mental health professionals poses a significant challenge in delivering effective care.
Dasho Dechen Wangmo said that this issue affects the entire health sector. The PEMA has been integrating mental health services into primary healthcare systems.
“We have been training 60 health workers on mental health,” she said. “The focus is on equipping health assistants in villages to screen for mental health issues alongside routine healthcare tasks. This integration aims to normalise conversations around mental health, making it an essential part of healthcare delivery.”
Dasho Dechen Wangmo also spoke about tools like The PEMA Wellbeing screening tool, which is being rolled out across health facilities to enable early detection of mental health issues. By asking simple but critical questions, healthcare providers can assess a patient’s mental well-being during routine visits.
She highlighted the importance of such small but impactful interventions. “If you’re going to the hospital to check your blood pressure or get a vaccination, the doctors will ask how you are, if you’re well. These simple questions are crucial,” she said.
Dasho Dechen Wangmo stressed the need for a collective effort. “Mental health cannot be the responsibility of one agency or individual. It requires a whole-of-society approach because mental health has multiple dimensions; social, psychological, economic.”