This invitation is for Bhutanese students between the ages of 18-25 (inclusive) who are attending post-secondary education in Bhutan and wish to share their perspectives on mental health & wellbeing. The survey should take about 10-20 minutes to complete but may vary based on the level of detail you choose to provide. 

YOUR PARTICIPATION IS VOLUNTARY 

Your participation in this project is your choice. You may refuse to participate at any time. If you participate, you may choose to withdraw your survey response without any consequences, and it is your choice to share as little or as much information in the survey as you feel comfortable.

WHO IS CONDUCTING THIS PROJECT? 
This project is being led jointly by Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGU) and the Global Health Initiatives (GHI) program from the University of British Columbia (UBC). This project is predominantly student-led by KGU counselling students and UBC medical and public health students with support from faculty at both institutions. 

KGU Supervisors: Dr. Chencho Dorjee, Dean of Nursing & Public Health; Dr. Chencho Dorji, Psychiatrist 

UBC Supervisors: Dr. Joelle LeMoult, UBC Department of Psychology

BACKGROUND 
The mental health system in Bhutan is emerging and still in its infancy. Currently there is limited infrastructure, a lack of foundational mental health knowledge, pervasive stigma, and few mental health specialists in a Kingdom of close to 1 million citizens. The burden of mental illness is especially prevalent among Bhutan’s young people who face rising suicide rates, substance abuse, mood disorders, gender violence, and disruptions to traditional family structures and culture. The COVID-19 pandemic is likely exacerbating an already overburdened mental health system where there is little understanding of the pandemic impact to young people and few resources available to support this population. Bhutan’s young people will play an integral role as future leaders in the wellbeing and resilience of the Kingdom as a whole, and their mental health and wellness needs to be understood and supported. 

PURPOSE 
The purpose of this survey is to gain an understanding of young people’s experience with mental health – their perspectives, challenges, needs, and strengths. The knowledge collected through the survey will inform the development of mental health resources for Bhutanese young people and guide future research to build this limited academic pool of knowledge.