Promoting mental wellbeing

The Counselling Unit of BRAC University had organised a round-table discussion on 12 October, 2019, at the conference room, of BRAC University, Mohakhali.

The discussion, "Promoting mental health of young adults: Role of mental health professionals and academic institutions," was attended by selected mental health professionals, faculty members, and other stakeholders of different academic and health institutions.

The session was moderated by renowned psychologist and advisor of the Counselling Unit of BRAC University, Dr Mehtab Khanam. Twelve invited speakers, including psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and professors spoke on the occasion.

Professor Afsan Chowdhury, columnist and journalist, expressed his grave concern and sorrow that mental health issues are often not even recognised as a health problem nowadays.

"When I stand in front of a bunch of students, I find 50 percent of them are mentally traumatised, of which, even 5 percent do not seek for a treatment. Mental health issues could be treated through peer counselling, and it should be socialised," he added.

"People these days can barely be seen laughing on the streets. They seem kind of aggrieved. Their smiles are fading away, just like cracking nuts in parks are," said Kamal Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Associate Professor of Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Dhaka.

It is evident that Bangladesh have seen some significant progress in providing different forms of mental health challenges, conditions, and services in various social institutions in the last few years. However, it is highly disturbing to see how brutality and oppression is winning over empathy and cooperation in academic institutions.

Dr Ashique Selim, Lead Consultant Psychiatrist and Managing Director of PHWC, stated, "Academic institutions should be open in talking about gender problems and drugs." Speaking on how university counsellors can help students recover from their psychological issues, Shahrin Islam, a student of BRAC University, shared her experiences.

Shahrin was suffering from a severe form of depression, and her CGPA was poor. The therapy session helped her overcome her suicidal tendencies and other mental health issues.

"It is possible to get out of mental depressions of even the worst kind," she added.

The panellists shared their observation that in recent times, a large number of young adults are going through mild to severe level of mental health crises, ranging from fits of rage, anxiety, depression to post traumatic stress disorder. The initiative of round-table discussion is to promote and spread mental health wellness.

Dr Mehtab Khanam, along with the other notable speakers, emphasised on collaboration of counsellors and lead a new platform for further collaborative initiatives to promote health and wellness in our society.