The PEMA Center to take role of nodal agency to promote mental health and wellbeing

Yeshey Lhadon

A Royal Initiative of Her Majesty,The Gyaltsuen to help build a society that promotes the mental health and wellbeing of all Bhutanese through a coordinated and holistic approach – PEMA Center will be a nodal agency.

Despite numerous ongoing efforts from different stakeholders to support and promote mental health and wellbeing, the explicit and coordinated response is crucial to strengthen the support.

Subsequently, the Chairperson of the Pema Center, Lyonpo Dasho Dechen Wangmo highlighted PEMA Center to take the role as the nodal agency.

Lyonpo presented that the PEMA Center will be a nodal agency strengthening the efforts of all stakeholders and service providers, and implementing evidence-based and sustainable interventions to enhance all mental health services and mental health wellbeing.

Following chairperson of PEMA Center’s presentation, the Center is expected to strengthen the ongoing efforts of the stakeholders and implement evidence-based and sustainable interventions to enhance mental health services for all through proactive and responsive mental health service delivery networks; development of enabling mental health system; strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration and coordination; and promote active advocacy on prevention of mental disorders.

The Members of the National Assembly led by the Speaker Wangchuk Namgyel attended the sensitization of The PEMA by The PEMA Center Secretariat. The Leader of the Opposition party, Dorji Wangdi also attended the presentation.

Earlier on November 3, 2021 at the Salhang Tendrel ceremony for The Pema Center, Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen said that laying the foundation of the Pema Center was to put forth a commitment to build a robust and supportive health care service in the country.

Her Majesty stressed on the need to address the gap between the number of people who need mental health care and those who receive it, as well the stigma associated with mental health conditions, which causes hesitation in reaching out for timely support.

Her Majesty said that mental health will be given the National priority that it deserves.

Also speaking at the event, the health minister, Dasho Dechen Wangmo thanked Her Majesty for this royal initiative for mental well-being in Bhutan. Her Majesty’s stewardship of the overarching strategy for mental health and well-being of the people of Bhutan came at a time when such guidance and direction was needed more than ever before, Lyonpo said.

The Pema Center will be a 60-bedded hospital inclusive of outpatient consultation and counselling, emergency services, treatment and procedure rooms, pharmacy, and inpatient wards.