Creating BBCC

Bhutan is known to the outside world as the country of Gross National Happiness (GNH), emanating from the wisdom of the monarchs of the country. GNH is Bhutan’s developmental philosophy, combining the philosophy of human values with economic development toward achieving equitable and sustainable development goals.

Although Bhutan is trying to achieve GNH through the sharing of love, care, and compassion, it is challenged by the advent of modernization and survival. In the age of globalization, Bhutanese society continues to undergo substantial changes in terms of social, economic, political, and technological structures. These forces and trends are creating substantial challenges for all of our citizens, including our children. A few examples of these challenges include a rapidly changing world of work; competition for jobs; a desire to maintain tradition and culture; domestic violence; divorce; suicide; substance abuse; unintended teenage pregnancy; conflicts in values and attitudes; child protection; human trafficking; prostitution; and an increase in numbers of unprepared, disenfranchised youth. These challenges are real, and they have a substantial impact on the social, economic, spiritual, and career aspirations and achievement of our people across all ages and backgrounds. Therefore, there is a need to establish holistic and systematic prevention and intervention strategies to cater to the needs of the changing Bhutanese society. This can empower people to make meaningful choices in their lives.

Background

The development of counseling as a profession in Bhutan began in 1996 with a Royal Decree issued by His Majesty the Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck to establish a systematic Youth Guidance and Counselling Program to address the increasing youth issues in the country. Following the Royal Decree, the Youth Guidance and Counseling Section (YGCS) was established under the Ministry of Health and Education. Later the YGCS was upgraded to a division called the Youth Guidance and Counseling Division (YGCD) under the same Ministry.

In 2003, the Ministry of Health and Education became two separate Ministries, the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Health (MoH). Thus, YGCD was upgraded to the Department of Youth and Sports (DYS) under the MoE. Under the DYS, the Career Education and Counselling Division (CECD) was established to institutionalize guidance and counseling programs in the schools.

In 1998, the MoE, under the Royal Government of Bhutan, sent Ms. Tshering Dolkar to pursue graduate study in Counseling at the University of New Brunswick in Canada. She returned in 2000 to implement the institutionalization of guidance and counseling in the secondary schools in Bhutan.

Since 1996, the MoE has actively promoted the development of counseling programs and counselors in the schools by training teachers as guidance counselors. Some key figures, including Dasho Pema Thinlay, the Secretary of Education at the time, and Mr. Tshewang Tandin, Director General, Department of Adult and Higher Education, worked tirelessly worked toward the development of counseling in Bhutan.

The Royal Civil Service Commission also approved the position of counselors in the government and approved the placement of full-time counselors in the schools.

Establishment of Bhutan Board for Certified Counselors (BBCC)

Bhutanese society is becoming increasingly complex, and the effects are directly evident in the mental health and well-being of the community, families, and individuals. One of the most vulnerable groups includes women and children who require immediate help and support. A structured counseling service is needed to help people reach optimum achievement and adequate adjustment in varied life situations, such as in educational, professional, vocational, moral, health, personal, and marital areas. The efforts of all stakeholders are required to prevent problems in these areas, which can have a serious impact on the mental health of our people. Along with prevention services, the establishment of appropriate remedial and developmental services is necessary to make an informed decision. Approaches to helping people with these types of issues require competent professionals to serve all levels of our society.

Today, counseling is a designated profession in Western countries. It requires training in psychological concepts, clinical supervision, human development, and vocational guidance. Incorporating these elements, the counseling profession has its own identity. Within the Bhutanese context, there is a dire need for psychologists, counseling professionals (both in the schools and communities), mental health workers, and other frontline helpers to mitigate societal issues, such as child protection, trafficking of women and children, suicide, sexual abuse, and domestic violence. Having a pool of mental health professionals will allow for effective consultation, collaboration, and networking. Therefore, the development of an expanded infrastructure is crucial for the sustainability and identity of the counseling profession.

Counseling, as an emergent, evolving, and dynamic profession, is experiencing rapid growth, and there is an increased demand for clinical and non-clinical services in diverse areas. Therefore, it is important that we work toward upholding the profession with dignity and respect because it also spans across cultures, areas, and organizations.

Organizations such as the MoE, RENEW, the BNCA, the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources, the MoH, the Royal Bhutan Police, and the Colleges of Education at Paro and Samtse have been offering remedial, preventive, and developmental services to individuals in their own workplaces. There is an urgent need for these stakeholders to create a professional identity and synergy among them. This will allow stakeholders to facilitate discussions on what is working well, work on the areas that need to be improved, and facilitate actions that would address issues of concern in our society. Creating an effective means of communication for people involved in areas of the counseling profession in different institutions and ministries and developing systems in our society that involve different stakeholders is important.

Currently, the MoE, the MoH, the BNCA, the National Commission for Women and Children, RENEW, and various other organizations provide guidance and counseling services in the country. Their counselors and counseling paraprofessionals represent various schools of thought and have completed their education from various universities.