World Mental Health Day Suicide Prevention

Kuzu zampo la

World Mental Health Day seems like a good time to remind our blog followers just what we’re about here in Bhutan.  We are having fun, and trust that’s reflected in our posts. The more important part of our mission here, though also quite enjoyable, is considerably less glamorous and not easily portrayed by captivating photographs.

Margaret and I are in Bhutan as volunteers with Health Volunteers Overseas, an international organization promoting the advancement of health in developing countries through education of health workers. Although we also provide direct care, our primary mission is to educate and teach other providers skills they can carry into the future, well beyond our departure.

Our original intent in creating and maintaining this blog was to express our gratitude to friends and family that have so generously supported our efforts here in Bhutan.   We have raised $2572 so far through our project website at www.mightycause.com, all of which has gone to the purchase of textbooks for the Counseling Program at the School of Nursing and Public Health and the Psychiatric training programs at Jigme Dorje Wangchuck National Referral Hospital.  The recipients of these texts would like to express their gratitude to each and every one of you that has contributed. 

Other than rent, all of our other expenses including airfare, accommodation in transit, travel in country, educational supplies, and medical insurance have been our responsibility. In addition, we have given up the opportunity for income producing activity back in the US while we are here.  These are expenses we have undertaken freely and believe are worth it given the benefit we are contributing here in Bhutan and the gratitude we have received.  Nonetheless we appreciate the financial support. 

Margaret and I have 46 followers on our blog.  We have had 29 contributors to our project, a number of whom are not following the blog.  If you are enjoying our blog and believe our mission to reflect your own values, please consider providing further support at www.mightycause.com. 

Kadrin chhe!

Steven and Margaret

Student Poster Contest Forty Seconds of Action

The students did a fabulous job researching the topic, preparing extremely creative demonstration projects and fielding questions from the judges competently and succinctly. Congratulations!

The judges. I’m proud to have the opportunity to work with this dedicated, pioneering faculty.