“This was a wonderful experience for me – I have volunteered abroad in a similar capacity and for similar lengths of time in the past, but this was by far the best experience bc [because] I had a community of volunteers (like-minded, intelligent and devoted doctors) to share my experiences with and to spend time with after work and on the weekends. This made me feel that I was really a part of a community both inside and outside of the hospital, and not just a floating foreigner. Likewise, I find teaching trainees much more ethically sustainable than working directly with patients, and I appreciated that the institution supported that position. Rarely did I feel that I was being “used” only for patient care, or for making up the difference in terms of lack of doctors in the psychiatric dept. Instead, I was able to teach widely within the dept and in other hospital depts (pediatrics, emergency medicine, medicine) and was seen as a supervisor of residents/trainees.“
-HVO Mental Health Volunteer
READY TO VOLUNTEER?
There are multiple steps to the placement process and often more than one approval is required. The process varies slightly from country-to-country and project-to-project. We strive to make this process as quick as possible but potential volunteers should be aware that final approval can take several months.
- To begin the placement process, complete the volunteer application and submit your CV.
ACTIVE PROJECT
MENTAL HEALTH PROJECT
Thimphu, Bhutan—Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH)
Bhutan’s National Mental Health Program was started in 1997 with the aims to integrate mental health into primary care and to undertake public education to reduce problems related to neuropsychiatric conditions, but a lack of trained mental health professionals impedes the implementation of the policy. Volunteers for this project may provide teaching and training for a full range of mental health providers, including psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, paramedical staff and students, and physician primary care providers at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) and the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences in Thimphu. Depending on their clinical background, volunteers have teaching opportunities in basic psychology, clinical assessment of psychiatric disorders, family and social support system problems, therapy modalities, psychopharmacology, cross-cultural psychology, mindfulness and mediation techniques, community and clinical liaison psychiatry, forensics, and addiction treatment.
Project type: In-person only
Assignment: Three months minimum
Qualifications: Volunteers must be licensed to practice psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy, or clinical social work in the US, Canada, Australia, or the UK and have more than five years of professional experience. Previous work in a rural setting or experience working in a developing country is preferred. Volunteers may be in active practice or retired but must have previous teaching and training experience. Willingness to learn and understand basic Bhutanese cultural values and recent history in preparation for service is essential. Experience in community-based mental health care, substance abuse rehabilitation, hospital-based psychiatric care, cross-cultural psychology, child and family mental health, and interdisciplinary clinical practice is preferred.
In 2024, the government of Bhutan began enforcing new immigration legislation that HVO must follow: a work permit cannot be issued to volunteers who are over the age of 65. As a result, all volunteers MUST be under the age of 65 at the time of their assignment in order to qualify for a work permit.
Housing: Housing is available on a first-come, first served basis. Let HVO staff know that you’re interested in housing so that necessary arrangements can be made.
Companions allowed: Bhutan’s immigration regulations do not allow volunteers who are staying less than 90 days to bring family members. For longer stays, volunteers may bring a spouse and minor children.