Queen Jetsun Pema attends mental health symposium

Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan has attended the inaugural session of the Third Annual PEMA Symposium at Zhichenkhar.

Mental health experts from around the world gathered in Bhutan for the three-day symposium. It was held under the theme “Empowering Young Minds, Building Futures: Investing in Children and Adolescents’ Mental Health and Well-Being.”

Queen Jetsun Pema held a speech in which she said, “No matter how much progress we make in education, health, or development, we cannot flourish as a society if our children do not feel safe, supported, and able to grow with confidence and joy. Our children deserve a system that not only responds to harm but also actively promotes well-being, nurtures resilience, and prevents harm before it occurs. They deserve homes and schools where they feel safe, loved, and supported; communities that hear their voices and empower them to thrive; and services that are sensitive to their needs.”

She added that successive Kings of Bhutan had always promoted policies, such as Gross National Happiness, placing well-being and happiness as a measure of progress, and DeSuung, Gyalsung, and now GMC as ways for young people to gain discipline, skills, purpose, and opportunities.

The Annual PEMA Symposium was started under the leadership of the Queen. This year’s sessions also saw the launch of the National Mental Health Strategy and the Bhutan Reintegration and Value Enhancement (BRAVE) Program.