ADAB holds roundtable on World Mental Health Day

Marking World Mental Health Day 2025, a roundtable discussion on “Mental Health During Disasters and Crises” was held on Thursday, October 9, at Bagicha Restaurant and Party Centre in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, organised by the Association of Development Agencies in Bangladesh (ADAB).

The meeting was presided over by Kazi Baby, president of ADAB Dhaka Metropolitan. The keynote paper was presented by Mostafa Kamal Jatra, teacher of the Department of Theatre at the University of Chittagong and executive director of Utsa. The programme was moderated by AKM Jasim Uddin, director of ADAB.

Speakers said that people in Bangladesh often suffer mental stress during disasters and crises. However, at the personal, family, social, and state levels, necessary awareness on mental health has yet to be developed. The country has nearly 40 million people with mental health issues but only 465 registered psychologists, reflecting the severity of the situation.

Several key recommendations were raised to strengthen mental health services. These include effective implementation of the Mental Health Act 2018, ensuring mental healthcare at union and upazila levels, establishing psychosocial support corners in shelters and rehabilitation camps, appointing counsellors in all educational institutions and workplaces, and incorporating mental health in the national disaster management plan.

Other recommendations include forming community-based counsellor and volunteer groups, integrating therapeutic theatre, art, music, and community counselling into mental health programmes, and prioritising the mental health needs of women, children, and marginalised communities.

Among others, the discussion was addressed by Syeda Shamima Sultana, member of ADAB executive committee; women’s leader Jesmin Sultana Paru; and Nasreen Geeti, member of Bangladesh Human Rights Journalists Forum.