- Mr. Pemba Wangchuk, Secretary, Ministry of Health,
- Mr. Jigme Tenzin, Secretary, GovTech,
- Ms. Dechen Wangmo, Hon’ble Chairperson of the Pema Board
- Pema Board members
- Presidents of Universities
- Dr Bhupinder, WHO Representative for Bhutan
- Deputy Representative of UNICEF
- Directors of Education and Health
- Executive Directors of CSOs
- Assembled experts, partners, colleagues and friends
A very good morning to you all.
Thank you for inviting me to address you today on this pressing and transformative issue of mental health.
Let me start with some sobering – and worrying – statistics about mental health in our WHO South-East Region:
- Over 260 million people live with a mental health condition
- We experience more than 200,000 suicides every year in the Region
- Alarmingly, for every suicide, there are more than 20 suicide attempts
- In several countries, the treatment gap is as high as 75% - 95%
- COVID-19 has triggered a 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression
These figures are worrying – but also, not necessarily surprising. Historically, stigma and discrimination has characterized the outlook and approach to mental health in the communities of our region.
However, while we undeniably still have a lot of work to do, it is heartening that we have made progress in recent years.
The Vision for People-Centered Mental Health Care
In 2022, our Member States adopted the Paro Declaration, and committed to universal access to people-centered mental health care.
This people-centered mental health care represents a shift from one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, it advocates for approaches that are holistic, community-based, and personalized. The preferences and unique circumstances of individuals get prioritised, promoting their dignity and autonomy.
As you may know, our WHO South-East Asia Regional Office has developed the Regional Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020. The core components of the plan include leadership and governance, community-based mental health services, promotion and prevention and data and research.
Earlier this year, when I assumed the role Regional Director, I formulated the priority areas of focus for the duration of my tenure. After consultation and endorsement by our Member States, we have codified this into our Regional Roadmap for Results and Resilience.
I am pleased to say that the very first pillar of this Regional Roadmap calls for “Reinforcing mental health, well-being and quality of life for all.” This aims to promote a holistic and comprehensive approach to all public health and health-care programmes - from health promotion to rehabilitation, and across the life-course. It ensures that mental health is integral to the overall health, well-being and quality of life of the population.
Therefore, I am pleased and proud to say that our South-East Asia Region has made a decisive commitment to promoting and treating the mental health and well-being of everyone in our communities.
People-centered care must include the voices of those with lived experience. Their insights are invaluable in shaping national policies that are truly responsive to their needs. Also, feedback mechanisms are essential to ensure continuous improvement. When individuals have a platform to voice their care experiences, services can evolve to better meet their needs.
Finally, building resilience within communities and individuals is fundamental. Resilience helps individuals view setbacks as manageable and temporary, fostering recovery and sustained well-being. Promoting mental health literacy is a vital component of this, empowering communities to support each other and dispel stigma.
This also connects with the necessary de-institutionalization of mental health care. Historically, mental health care has been synonymous with institutionalization. However, as our understanding of mental health has evolved, so too must our methods of care.
Despite the enormous progress made in understanding of public mental health, long-stay institutions still exist in our Region and in other parts of the world. The deinstitutionalization movement recognizes the shortcomings of isolating individuals in such facilities, and the need for a more holistic and community-driven approach.
This PEMA initiative in Bhutan serves as a shining example for our region. Under the guidance of Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen, PEMA has pioneered coordinated efforts to streamline mental health services across multiple sectors. By harmonizing interventions and focusing on resilience and societal support, it provides a model for scaling mental health care in other settings.
As I conclude, I would like to remind us all that mental health is not just a health issue—it is a social issue, an economic issue, and a human rights issue. It intersects with all aspects of life — education, employment, and social inclusion.
I would like thank Bhutan and the PEMA initiative for the excellent work you have done – and continue to do. I commend Bhutan for your leadership in our region on prioritizing mental and disability within your public health.
You will always have a partner and friend in WHO, in the South-East Asia Regional Office, and in me.
Thank you.