𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋- 𝐄𝐂𝐔-𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

…𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒗𝒖𝒍𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔, 𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒔

By Lhendup Wangmo

Edith Cowan University (ECU) has reinforced its commitment to supporting Bhutan’s educational and professional development with the introduction of the Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck Scholarship. Established in partnership with RENEW (Respect, Educate, Nurture, and Empower Women) and ECU’s School of Arts and Humanities, the initiative aims to enhance the skills of Bhutanese counselors, with a particular focus on supporting women and adolescents from disadvantaged backgrounds.

This scholarship is part of a broader effort to provide Bhutanese professionals with advanced training in counseling and psychotherapy. Given the increasing importance of mental health services, especially among vulnerable communities, the program will equip local counselors with specialized skills to better address the challenges faced by women, youth, men, and even prisoners in Bhutanese society. Issues such as gender-based violence, trauma, societal pressures, and emotional distress make mental health a growing concern, necessitating targeted interventions by trained professionals.

The collaboration between ECU and RENEW reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Bhutan’s mental health infrastructure. The program is designed to provide both theoretical and hands-on training in trauma-informed care and evidence-based therapeutic techniques. The ultimate goal is to ensure that Bhutanese counselors can offer effective support to those most in need, particularly individuals impacted by societal and cultural challenges.

ECU has deepened its engagement with Bhutan through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with RENEW, a leading Bhutanese institution focused on women, children, and family welfare. The agreement, formalized in September 2023, was signed in the presence of Her Majesty, Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck, and ECU Vice-Chancellor, underlining the institutions’ shared vision for lasting educational collaboration and mutual growth.

Guided by its core values of integrity, respect, rational inquiry, personal excellence, and courage, ECU aims to support Bhutan’s development by offering scholarships for a Master’s in Counseling and Psychotherapy. This program is tailored to meet Bhutan’s mental health needs while empowering future leaders in the field. RENEW will play a key role in selecting candidates for the scholarship, ensuring they demonstrate a strong commitment to social change in Bhutan. Candidates will undergo a rigorous evaluation process jointly conducted by ECU’s counseling program faculty and RENEW to meet the academic and professional standards required.

The Master’s in Counseling and Psychotherapy at ECU offers a comprehensive curriculum integrating theoretical learning, experiential skill development, and clinical practice. The program incorporates culturally relevant content to address both contemporary mental health issues and Bhutan’s unique socio-cultural landscape. Upon successful completion, scholarship recipients must return to Bhutan within two months to work with RENEW, contributing to the professional development of the country’s counseling sector.

One of the first recipients of this prestigious scholarship is Reenu Maya Mongar, a dedicated counselor with RENEW who has spent her career supporting women and adolescents in Bhutan. She views the scholarship as a transformative opportunity to enhance her professional capabilities and broaden her impact.

“As a counselor, my goal has always been to help people, especially women and young people, cope with emotional distress, trauma, and mental health challenges,” Reenu said. “This scholarship will give me the advanced training I need to better serve my community, particularly through trauma-informed therapeutic techniques.”

Reenu intends to deepen her understanding of psychological theories, therapeutic interventions, and mental health frameworks during her studies at ECU. She is particularly focused on refining her skills in working with survivors of domestic violence, gender-based violence, and other traumatic experiences affecting Bhutanese women and youth.

“The challenges faced by women and adolescents in Bhutan are unique,” Reenu explained. “With advanced training, I can develop more effective strategies to support those impacted by trauma, stress, and emotional hardship. My goal is not only to improve individual well-being but also to help shift attitudes toward mental health in Bhutan.”

Beyond her personal development, Reenu hopes to contribute to the national conversation on mental health. Stigma remains a significant barrier, particularly in rural communities where cultural norms and misconceptions discourage people from seeking help. She believes trained counselors can play a critical role in raising awareness and breaking down these barriers.

“The role of counselors in Bhutan is evolving,” she noted. “As mental health awareness grows, I see counselors moving beyond traditional therapy to community-based initiatives, particularly in rural areas. We need to make mental health care accessible to everyone, especially where fear or shame prevents people from seeking support.”

Reenu’s journey is not just about professional development—it is also a deeply personal endeavor. She hopes to strengthen her self-awareness and emotional resilience, qualities essential for effective counseling. By honing her skills in psychodynamic approaches, she aims to connect more effectively with clients experiencing severe emotional distress.

“I believe that to truly help others, we need to be in tune with ourselves,” she said. “This scholarship will allow me to not only improve my skills as a counselor but also become more resilient and self-aware, so I can provide better care for my clients.”

Dr. Tashi Wangmo, a mental health expert in Bhutan, emphasized the broader significance of the scholarship program. “This scholarship is not just an investment in individual professionals,” she said. “It is an investment in our future. By building the capacity of local counselors, we are addressing the critical need for skilled mental health professionals who can work within Bhutan’s unique social and cultural context.”

ECU’s partnership with RENEW also provides scholarship recipients with the opportunity to expand their professional networks in the global counseling community, allowing them to bring valuable international perspectives back to Bhutan. Both institutions aim to create a sustainable, long-term impact, with program graduates serving as mentors and advocates for mental health services in their communities.

The Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck Scholarship is a vital step in addressing Bhutan’s mental health challenges and reflects a broader commitment to strengthening the country’s social infrastructure. As mental health becomes a higher priority in Bhutan’s development strategy, this initiative is positioning the country’s counselors to lead efforts in promoting mental well-being, particularly among vulnerable groups.

Reenu’s journey, supported by this scholarship, is part of a larger movement to empower women and adolescents, improve mental health services, and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health in Bhutan. As she continues her studies, she hopes to return with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to the ongoing development of Bhutan’s mental health sector.

“The scholarship will allow me to play a part in shaping the future of mental health in Bhutan,” Reenu said. “By improving mental health services and empowering the next generation of counselors, we can ensure that those in need have access to the care and support they deserve.”