Her Majesty is calling for collective action to combat mental health issues

Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen yesterday graced the closing ceremony of the PEMA Symposium, the first edition of Bhutan’s National Mental Health Symposium.

During her address at the meeting, Her Majesty emphasized the importance of a joint community effort in tackling mental health challenges, emphasizing empathy, compassion and the crucial role of teachers and counselors in supporting individuals, especially youth.

Her Majesty called for collective action to combat issues such as suicide and bullying and promote a society rooted in understanding, resilience and hope.

Conceived by Her Majesty, the symposium aimed to create a collaborative platform to address one of Bhutan’s most pressing challenges: mental health. The two-day event, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the WHO Bhutan Office, brought together policymakers, healthcare professionals and community members to promote dialogue and pave the way for transformative initiatives.

During the event, Her Majesty inaugurated two historic mental health institutions: the PEMA Home and Mitshey Yarab Lamzang.

The PEMA Home is designed to prioritize the mental health and wellbeing of children in difficult circumstances. It will work with local community organizations and agencies responsible for child welfare to ensure a holistic and community-oriented approach. Its mission is to provide vulnerable children and their families with the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Mitshey Yarab Lamzang, a center of hope and well-being, focused on providing care to people with substance abuse. It operates on a continuum-of-care model, providing residential and outpatient services tailored to a range of needs, from voluntary participants to those referred by the judiciary or other institutions. By emphasizing reintegration into society, the center aims to enable individuals to live fulfilling lives as responsible citizens.

The symposium included in-depth discussions on Bhutan’s mental health landscape, evidence-based interventions and strategies for building resilience and well-being.

Speech by Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen at the closing ceremony of the PEMA Symposium about mental health

As we gather at the conclusion of the PEMA Symposium on Mental Health, we are at a critical moment where empathy meets action.

The discussions of the past two days have underlined a fundamental truth: mental health is the cornerstone of our collective well-being and touches every corner of society.

Let us seize this moment to translate our shared insights into ensuring change as we continue our journey toward a more compassionate and supportive future for all.

For meaningful progress, solutions must come from a collective effort. It cannot be the sole responsibility of professionals. Families, friends, teachers and the entire community play an important role in creating strong and caring support networks.

His Majesty often reminds us that our strength lies in our unity and our sense of community. Just as a dzong is built with many stones placed by people from all walks of life, our mental health system needs this strength and support from our entire community.

Bhutan is witnessing a disturbing rise in suicide rates, a multi-faceted challenge that has profound consequences for families and communities. Major contributing factors include mental health issues, societal pressures, limited access to resources and, unfortunately, various forms of bullying. It is painful to see someone in our community feeling alone in their struggle. We need to build bridges, not walls, and make sure everyone knows help is available. Losing even one life to suicide is a collective failure on our part.

With many of our teachers, counselors and education officials here today, it is important to recognize your critical role in supporting student mental health. You are on the front lines shaping Bhutan’s future. While we often associate mental health with policy and healthcare, significant impact happens at the school level, where your support can be lifesaving.

Advisors, you create safe spaces for students to share their feelings and serve as the first line of support for those in need. Your ability to identify students who need more support and connect them to the necessary resources is invaluable and can make a real difference.

Principals, your leadership is critical in creating a school environment that puts mental health first, transforming schools into safe havens where students feel seen and heard.

Teachers are often the first to notice when a student is struggling. With compassion and care, you can reach out to them, put them in touch with the school counselor, offer words of encouragement, or simply let them know they are not alone. Sometimes something as simple as a kind word of love and care from a teacher can be the light that guides a student through their darkest moments.

The key to all these roles is empathy. By understanding and sharing our students’ feelings, we can build trust and break down barriers. It’s about supporting them rather than solving every problem, and showing them that help and hope are always available. Your efforts help build a strong and caring community – just like a team of superheroes supporting mental health.

In closing, let’s reflect on the profound impact we can have in combating suicide and bullying and promoting mental health. Our collective efforts – whether listening to a friend, combating harmful behavior, or advocating for better mental health care – are the foundation of a compassionate and resilient society.

For those who have experienced the pain of these challenges, remember that you are not alone. Your courage in sharing your journey lights the way for others and inspires us to do better. To the educators, counselors, health professionals and mental health advocates who work tirelessly, thank you for your steadfast efforts. By participating in these critical conversations, you will not only raise awareness, but also drive change. You are the pillars of hope for many in need.

I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to the entire team at the PEMA Secretariat. Your dedication and unwavering efforts have saved many lives and provide hope every day, despite great challenges. You are a true example of service and care and creating a better future for those in need. Thank you.

Let us recognize the power within each of us to be agents of change. Imagine a world where every individual feels safe to share their story without fear of judgment, where seeking help is seen as strength, and where compassion is our first response. Let’s leave here with a commitment to take action – to challenge misconceptions, support those in need, and use our voices to create real change. Together we can rewrite the story and turn the whispers of struggle into triumphs of resilience.

Thank you for being here and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Together we can create a future full of hope and healing.

Tashi Delek