mental health

Addressing mental health challenges in the modern workplace

It’s time for businesses to act decisively, transforming mental health from an afterthought into a core aspect of workplace culture.

Panic attack or just really stressed? Knowing when it’s more than just ‘stress'

Panic attacks are intense episodes of fear or discomfort that can strike without warning, often leaving people feeling overwhelmed and out of control. Unlike “panic”, which we usually feel when something is making us anxious, panic attacks come on abruptly, peaking within minutes.

Lost in thought? You might be one of the many facing ADHD

You cannot easily concentrate on long conversations, and cannot remember roads, people's names, or other detailed information. People misunderstand you for being irresponsible and inattentive but in reality, no matter how much you try, it’s very difficult for you to focus on anything! You might be one of 2 to 37.45 per cent of the Bangladeshi youth who experience symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Aftermath of the revolution: The mental health crisis among students

Participating in or witnessing violent protests can lead to long-term psychological effects such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and heightened levels of anger and stress.

Your boss won’t fix your stress – but these 5 techniques might

If you find yourself overwhelmed almost daily, you’re not alone. But even in the midst of this mental fog, there is a path forward. Here are 5 ways to boost your mental well-being at work and build resilience!

The psychological costs of an uprising

The systemic issues make even the admission of one’s struggles a minefield

Richardson advises young cricketers to work on mental health like ‘practising for short ball’

Richardson’s struggles came to a head three years ago when COVID-19 derailed the Indian Premier League season he was involved in, leaving players stranded abroad due to Australia's strict biosecurity rules.

The enduring power of letter writing in the digital age

In an era where digital communication has become the norm, the practice of writing letters by hand might seem outdated, even quaint. However, as World Letter Writing Day on September 1st reminds us, this seemingly old-fashioned activity offers unique and powerful benefits. From nurturing mental well-being to enhancing critical communication skills, the act of putting pen to paper—or stylus to tablet—can still have a profound impact on our lives.

#Perspective / Skinny shaming: The bullying we pretend doesn’t exist

Body positivity never really caught up in Bangladesh. It’s shocking how even in 2024, body shaming not only exists in our society, but also is taken for granted. In recent times, there has been some awareness against fat shaming. Yet, the same cannot be said about skinny shaming.

October 9, 2021
October 9, 2021

Simple ways to uplift mood and mind

According to research studies, there is a strong and intimate link between good mental health and good physical health and vice versa; hence, we need to make sincere efforts to keep our mind and mood in optimal shape.

July 20, 2021
July 20, 2021

Cyberbullying: A punishable crime

With the advent of technology and the proliferation of social media, tentacles of the menace became limitless. With the advantage of anonymity made possible by the Internet, the cyberbullies became terrifying, often far worse than the ‘bullying’ that once had a face.

October 29, 2020
October 29, 2020

How Not to Act When You Are Being Held Accountable

Being confronted by your victim? Here’s a list of things you shouldn’t say.

September 10, 2020
September 10, 2020

Two books that explore life in psychotherapy

I picked up this book while trying to find a good therapist in this dreary land.

March 28, 2019
March 28, 2019

Why we need more family level policy changes

In April last year, the “two-finger test” on rape victims was banned by the High Court of Bangladesh stating it had no scientific or legal basis. Rights activists have long been insisting that the “two-finger test” was irrational and tantamount to a second rape of the victim.

December 6, 2018
December 6, 2018

How to tell if someone is having mental health issues

I recently noticed my colleague’s change in behaviour over the past year. For the last nine years that I have known her, she was a happy and well-adjusted person whom the other team members looked up to as ‘big sister’.

November 30, 2018
November 30, 2018

WORDS THAT HEAL: The comfort of literature in times of mental duress

For Mahera help came not only in the form of relatable characters, but also the physical comfort derived from holding onto a book. "I've carried a book or a Kindle with me during the worst times of my life. It's like a security blanket," she told me.

October 10, 2018
October 10, 2018

Virtual play to combat mental illness

Out of the 161 million people of Bangladesh (as of 2015), 16.1 percent of adults and 15.2 percent of five- to 10-year-olds live with mental health issues. Only 0.44 percent of our national budget was allocated for mental health in the same year.

July 27, 2018
July 27, 2018

Addressing mental health: Lessons from Toronto

Toronto is a city which wholeheartedly accepts inclusivity, diversity and progressive thought as the foundational norms of its everyday journey. This Canadian cosmopolitan city posits a wide array of multicultural settings—from the famous Danforth-Victoria Park region which houses a high number of Bangladeshi immigrants, to the globally acclaimed financial district in Downtown Toronto.

May 25, 2018
May 25, 2018

Depression could speed up brain aging

A new UK review finds that those who have depression or anxiety could also show an increased rate of cognitive decline later in life.