Balancing traditional beliefs and medical science: mental health care in Bhutan.

In the Kingdom where Gross National Happiness is the most precious commodity, there is a growing awareness of the individual and communal toll that unmet mental health needs bring to bear on Bhutanese society. Even though mental illnesses are becoming public health issue, there is a tendency to neglect the care of mentally ill person in the general setting. The reason for the neglect is due to lack of understanding and poor management of mental illness by the health professionals and community at large. This article emphasizes the need to balance the traditional beliefs and medical science in order to provide a comprehensive mental health care in Bhutan.