SERVICES
1
Child Protection
The child protection unit has protection officers who provide services to
children in difficult circumstances, children in conflict with law, violence
against children or other issues related to child protection. Services
related to child custody during parental separation and family interventions
are part of the child protection services. This unit also responds to child
protection in emergencies.
2
Gender Based Violence
The GBV unit has protection officers who provide services to survivors of
GBV. This unit also links families to counsellors for family counselling and
reintegration services.
3
Counselling services
Online
Online counselling is provided through email, Zoom, WhatsApp, Telegram,
and telephone services. Clients can choose the medium that is most
convenient and comfortable for them. Individuals who reach out for
support through social media platforms or the PEMA website are first
connected through online services, after which the mode of service
delivery is decided based on the client’s preference.
Walk -in
Persons in need of counselling can also walk-in after making an
appointment through 1098.
4
PEMA Home
The PEMA Home provides short-term, safe care for children in difficult circumstances. The Home prioritises a child’s immediate safety, emotional wellbeing, and timely reunification with family. It is not a long-term residential institution, but a temporary place of care and protection. Children are admitted to help calm crisis situations, reduce harm arising from violence, and support safe reunification with their families, typically within two weeks.
5
Adoption and Alternative Care Services
Adoption services support both domestic and intercountry adoption, with
the child’s best interests at the heart of every decision. All services are
guided by the Child Adoption Act of Bhutan 2012, along with its Rules,Regulations, and Guidelines. Alternative care services are provided to ensure children grow up in safe, nurturing, and supportive environments, in accordance with the Child Care and Protection Act and the Guidelines for Alternative Care of Children 2018.
6
Treatment and Rehabilitation Services
Our treatment and rehabilitation services provide inpatient and outpatient care for individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders (SUD). Services include continuing care, peer support, and relapse prevention to support long-term recovery. Care is delivered through health facilities, prisons, and community settings across the country. Specialized mental health and rehabilitation services are provided through the PEMA Centre, including hospital-based, residential, and prison-based SUD treatment.
7
Hospital-based SUD Treatment and Care
This service provides structured outpatient SUD treatment to support recovery while allowing individuals to continue their work and social responsibilities. It also offers continuing care for those who have completed residential rehabilitation. Hospital-based SUD treatment includes clinical management, counselling, and relapse prevention support. Services are delivered through national and regional referral hospitals, with plans to expand to all district hospitals.
8
Prison-based SUD Treatment and Care
Prison-based SUD treatment provides structured rehabilitation services for incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders. The program combines peer-led support, a 12-Step approach, and a modified therapeutic community model. Services focus on recovery, behaviour change, and preparation for reintegration. These services are delivered at central and district prisons across the country.
9
The PEMA Rehab
The PEMA Rehab provides residential, 24-hour drug treatment and rehabilitation services for individuals with SUD. The center offers holistic care, including clinical treatment, peer support, mindfulness-based interventions, and complementary therapies. Treatment is provided in a structured residential setting over a defined duration. The centre serves as the national facility for specialized drug treatment and rehabilitation services.
10
Peer Support Services
Peer support services provide ongoing recovery support through structured group sessions and shared lived experiences. These services help individuals build coping skills, strengthen motivation, and prevent relapse. Peer support is integrated into hospital-based SUD treatment and residential rehabilitation services. The program is being expanded to hospitals nationwide in a phased manner.
11
Reintegration and Aftercare Centre
The Reintegration and Aftercare Centre will provide structured post-treatment and post-incarceration support to facilitate social and economic reintegration. Services will include skills development, enterprise opportunities, and engagement in productive activities. The centre will focus on livelihood-based
rehabilitation through high-value manufacturing and vocational pathways.
These services aim to support dignity, self-reliance, and reduce the risk of
reoffending.
12
Skilling and Livelihood
Skilling and livelihood services will provide vocational training and employment-oriented opportunities for individuals in difficult circumstances. These services will support incarcerated individuals, substance users, and mental health patients from PEMA facilities and partner organisations. Training will be delivered through collaboration with national skills, education, and employment agencies. The focus is on enhancing employability, income generation, and long-term self-sufficiency.
13
Transition Home
Transition Homes will provide temporary, structured housing in a safe and substance-free environment for individuals completing treatment. These homes will support recovery by offering stability, peer support, and life skills development. Services will assist individuals in managing employment, relationships, and daily responsibilities. Transition Homes will serve as a bridge between rehabilitation and independent living.
14
Sober Recreational Facilities
Sober recreational facilities will provide safe spaces for individuals in recovery to engage in healthy social and recreational activities. Services will promote positive coping mechanisms and substance-free lifestyles. Activities will support physical well-being, social connection, and peer interaction. These facilities will reinforce recovery by offering alternatives to high-risk environments.
15
Community Programs and Services
Community programs and services will provide accessible mental health and well-being support within local settings. Services will include counselling, peer support, youth-focused interventions, and mental health education. Stress management and preventive interventions will be integrated into community outreach. These services aim to promote early support, awareness, and community resilience.
16
Outreach Services
Outreach services will extend mental health and SUD support to underserved and hard-to-reach populations. Services will be delivered through mobile teams, community-based workers, and telehealth platforms. Outreach will provide follow-up care and continued engagement after treatment completion. These services will strengthen continuity of care and support successful community reintegration.
17
BRAVE Program
The BRAVE Programme is a national framework for reintegration and aftercare services for vulnerable populations, including incarcerated individuals, persons with substance use disorders, and those with mental health conditions. It brings together structured rehabilitation, skills development, livelihood support, and social reintegration initiatives. The programme consolidates multiple reintegration and aftercare projects under a unified recovery-oriented approach. BRAVE aims to promote dignity, self-reliance, and successful reintegration into society.
18
Yarju Open-Air Prison (OAP)
The Yarju Open-Air Prison is a key reintegration initiative implemented under the BRAVE Programme, aligned with its focus on rehabilitation through productive engagement and skills development. Yarju provides work-based rehabilitation through infrastructure development, agricultural activities, and vocational engagement of inmates. Services include skills training, supervised work opportunities, and livelihood preparation for long-term and life-sentenced inmates. Through these services, Yarju operationalises BRAVE’s reintegration objectives by supporting employability, responsibility, and reduced recidivism.
19
Psychiatric services
PEMA Centre services/psychiatric services-detoxification, counseling, mental health consultations, child and adolescent mental health services, day treatment and aftercare programmes.