This Content Is Only For Subscribers
A new report by The PEMA, the Ministry of Education, and UNICEF reveals that while Bhutanese adolescents know where to get mental health support, many struggle to identify early signs of stress in themselves.
The PEMA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development and UNICEF Bhutan, launched the OnMyMind Campaign report today at the fourth PEMA Symposium. The findings highlight a critical gap in adolescent mental health: while most young Bhutanese know where to seek help, many fail to recognize the early signs of stress in themselves.
The nationwide four-month campaign, launched in June 2026 in response to growing mental health concerns, reached 5,402 individuals, including 3,721 adolescents and 1,681 parents and caregivers. A pulse survey conducted during the campaign revealed that only 69.1% of respondents under age 20 recognized changes in their body or thoughts as signs of stress, with 18.2% remaining unsure. Furthermore, some youth felt they did not need support during mental health challenges.
At the campaign’s onset, data showed nearly one in five students experienced high stress or anxiety, and over 13,000 reported a risk of self-harm during strong emotions. However, 80% of adolescents reported strong family support, underscoring the vital role of caregivers. The campaign successfully normalized mental health conversations, with 94.4% of youth identifying reaching out to a trusted adult as appropriate, and 95.2% understanding the 1098 helpline as a confidential resource. Consequently, monthly contacts to support services rose by approximately 16%, from 5.6 to 6.5.
The survey also offered insights into adults’ understanding, with 81.4% recognizing stress signs compared to 69.1% of youth. However, a small proportion of adults still favoured handling concerns secretly, reinforcing the need to equip parents to encourage early help-seeking.
The symposium culminated with spoken poetry performances by adolescents, centering youth voices in the conversation. Moving forward, the campaign’s next priority is equipping families, schools, and service providers to help young people recognize stress earlier, ensuring interventions happen before concerns become harder to manage.
