mental health awareness

‘Mental health isn't quite valued in Bangladesh’

In an interview with The Daily Star’s Samsul Arefin Khan, opening batter Mohammad Naim discussed his frustrations over missed opportunities and approach to overcoming setbacks, among other issues.
11 February 2025, 01:45 AM

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).
27 October 2024, 10:26 AM

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!
10 October 2024, 09:27 AM

Suicide Prevention Helpline “Kaan Pete Roi”: 10 years and counting

Kaan Pete Roi is open every day from 3PM to 3AM. The calls are not recorded and confidentiality is strictly maintained. This is a safe space without judgement and the volunteers are here because they care and want to make a change.
18 May 2024, 08:24 AM

Food for thought: Things to eat to improve mental health

It's 2024 and we all know the importance of a healthy diet for physical health. But what about its impact on our mental well-being? Just like the rest of our body, the brain thrives on nourishment and the quality of that nourishment significantly influences our mood, cognitive function, and even our resilience to stress.
13 May 2024, 07:02 AM

How parents can help children navigate depression

Young adults often feel discouraged from getting the help we require due to fear of judgement or embarrassment in front of families and friends.
4 January 2024, 00:00 AM

Depression: My story in our stigmatized society

The concept of depression was foreign to me, and my limited knowledge of it came from the hushed conversations of elders
12 October 2023, 01:00 AM

Our youth is scavenging for mental health resources

In Dhaka, you will be hard-pressed to find a therapist charging a fee-per-hour of less than Tk 1,500.
10 October 2023, 02:00 AM

Level Five’s ‘Semicolon’ is an urge to embrace life

The choice of title, "Semicolon", carries profound symbolism. A semicolon represents the continuation of someone's life despite facing adversity—it symbolises strength in the midst of a storm. In the context of mental health, it serves as an affirmation of solidarity against a myriad of challenges.
8 October 2023, 07:57 AM

Self-care is healthcare

The great news is that through the daily practice of breathing, mindfulness, and other forms of intentional self-care, can actually help individuals overcome stress and improve their livelihood.
24 May 2023, 14:00 PM

‘Next-Moner Bondhu I am the solution:’ A youthful event focusing on mental health

The event was aimed to delve into the mental health challenges that the youth of our country face and help them overcome those obstacles to make them better and smarter citizens. Prominent professionals, trainers, and teachers from various fields were involved in the event to provide the training and modules for this youth development program.
9 May 2023, 10:58 AM

Why we tend to avoid therapy

There are many reasons why people choose to refrain from getting the help they need.
15 March 2023, 14:57 PM

OCD: More than just an obsession with cleaning

How many times have you heard a friend or member of your family say that they have OCD because they want things in a certain order or want their surroundings to be spotlessly clean? According to experts, OCD or obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety condition, and those who have it will not be able to recognise their symptoms until they start affecting daily life.
16 November 2022, 12:30 PM

Speaking of men’s mental health

A common idea is prevalent in society that men will only talk about power and strength as this is the first lesson they receive from their families while growing up. It is in this initial process of raising a male child that we impart the wrong lessons of life. From early childhood, boys are taught not to cry when experiencing physical pain or mental agony, simply because — “Men don’t cry,” and thus, boys and girls are brought up differently when it comes to teaching them how to cope with pain, physical or mental.
14 November 2022, 11:39 AM

6 things mentally strong people with high Emotional Intelligence never do

Mental strength is the weapon of the successful. Many feel that this is something people are born with but that is a myth easily debunked. Mental strength is the product of Emotional Intelligence, or EQ, which is often considered to even trump the intelligence quotient, or IQ. It is a flexible skill that can be improved with effort and for those that wish to possess this coveted skill, it is equally important to know what not to do, as it is to know what to do, to achieve it. Here are 6 things mentally strong people with high Emotional Intelligence, EQ, never do.
29 October 2022, 10:46 AM

Depression and drainage of energy: a causal relationship from hell

Understanding why sadness robs us of energy can help us to mitigate it.
10 October 2022, 13:00 PM

A Brave New World: How the urban youth are tackling mental health

When addressing mental health in Bangladesh, we’re no strangers to being labelled ‘mad’ or in the Bengali definition ‘pagol,’ when we acknowledge our depression or want to invest in therapy. Among the mentally ill, the youth form a significant number. While many suffer needlessly, others actively seek assistance to tackle their mental health issues and overcome them.   
10 October 2022, 08:13 AM

Inside the mind of a person suffering from OCD

I was diagnosed as having obsessive-compulsive behaviour (OCD) when I was 22 years old, but I have had OCD all my life. Looking back, it was so obvious, yet how I never got diagnosed earlier is beyond me. Better late than never; at least now I know why I am ‘compelled’ to do the things that I do.
10 October 2022, 07:55 AM

How can we prevent suicides among the youth?

There needs to be a concerted effort to decrease the burden on our youth and listen to their problems intently
21 September 2022, 11:34 AM

Contextualising mental health in Bangladesh: The youth perspective

The stigmatisation of mental health care needs to be eradicated by those at the upper portion of the pyramids.
18 July 2022, 18:00 PM