A healthy society depends on ensuring women's mental well-being and breaking the stigma surrounding psychological care the speakers emphasized at a workshop in Faridpur on Wednesday.
The day-long event titled "Women's Mental Health: Awareness, Empathy and Practical Actions" was organized by the women’s development group Nandita Suraksha in collaboration with the Foundation for Women Possibilities. It brought together 25 participants were working women, youth activists, volunteers and NGO representatives.
Mahapara Alam a psychosocial wellness expert from the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) led the key sessions. She highlighted how social taboos and a lack of awareness often prevent women from seeking timely professional help. She detailed the specific mental health risks women face in educational institutions and workplaces such as stress, anxiety and burnout and stressed the need for compassionate communication, self-care and safe referral systems.
"It is critical to ensure a mental health-friendly environment at all levels of society and to normalize the culture of seeking professional help" Alam told the participants during the interactive sessions.
Addressing the closing ceremony A. N. M. Fazlul Hadi Sabbir, Executive Director of the Beneficiaries' Friendship Forum (BFF), urged the government, private sector and general public to work together to eliminate social prejudices and make mental healthcare accessible. He noted that without mental well-being, overall development of families and workplaces is severely hampered.
Tahiatul Jannat Remi the Executive Director of Nandita Suraksha concluded the event by declaring women's mental health a fundamental right. She pledged that her organization will continue its grassroots campaigns to foster compassionate environments and advocate for accessible mental health services for women and youth.
