Fuska: a food that never hear “No”.

Mental Health in Bangladesh: Breaking the Silence

 Despite the fact that most people in Bangladesh do not give mental health any concern, I am 

quite passionate about it. As a child, I saw firsthand how my community stigmatized, neglected,

and misrepresented mental health. The more this is spoken among our generation, the more we

can do to truly assist ourselves.

The Unseen Struggle       

In Bangladesh, where mental health is incredibly hush-hush. If someone is battling with anxiety,

depression or other mental health conditions they may not want anyone to know. Very often,

people refrain from asking for the help they need because of fear of being judged and called

“mad” or just plain weak. This silence can be deadly. Deaths by suicide are the result of a

combination of factors, yielding an official rate that is high compared to global averages as per

The World Health Organization (WHO) and many suicides can be traced back years or months

before they happen, where early care & support for mental health could have possibly helped

prevent some deaths.

  

The Role of Culture

It writes that  " CULTURE SETS THE STAGE " for how mental illness is viewed. It forces you to show that

a person must suffer and endure pain with resilience, never showing vulnerability. All fine as far

as they go, but these values can also perpetuate an environment where people think they

should simply ‘suck it up’, rather than flagging their struggles with staff or seeking support from

other sources.

I remember growing up, that mental health was not something spoken about at home or at

school. Sad and anxious? You need to pray more, or just think positive thoughts. Faith and

positive thinking are needed but not always enough. There is nothing wrong with people seeking

professional help at times.

The Importance of Awareness

Fortunately, although slowly, things are beginning to turn around. There is more discussion

about mental health issues in Bangladesh than ever before, thanks to the great blessing of

social media. Nowadays, Facebook and Instagram are being used as platforms where people

share their stories and help others understand things more properly. Mental health

organizations are also catching the attention of those who need assistance.

But we need to go way further. Most people are unaware of how to locate help or what kind of

assistance is suitable for them. And that is why awareness matters. We still have a long way to

go in informing ourselves and others about mental health, the red flags of someone

experiencing symptoms of mental illness as well as what treatment is out there.

My Experience

It was difficult to just step up, and I completely understand that because I too suffer with mental

health issues. Up until the day I realized it, I occasionally felt like I was the only one going

through this. It didn't make them think less of me since I was comfortable talking to them and

sharing my sentiments with them; unlike many people on the list up to this point, I wasn't "weak"

for voicing my fears or hurts.

It's been one of the best things I've ever done for myself that I've freely discussed the problem

with one of my brother. It has demonstrated to me that dealing with mental health issues is entirely normal

and has nothing to do with being weak. However, perhaps if we talk about it more, people will

realize they're not alone.

How We Can Help

Do not suffer in silence if you or someone close to you is similarly vulnerable when it comes to

mental health. Make time to have open discussions and offer your support. Sometimes one just

needs someone to hear them out. Seek the help of a counselor or psychologist if you feel that

you have no one with whom to communicate. perhaps even your closest pal! that taking care of

your mental health should not be seen as a sign of weakness, as you and I already take care of

our physical health.

In conclusion, mental health in Bangladesh is a serious problem that requires more humane and

transparent discussion. We can build a culture where mental health is treated seriously and

people who need help can get it without stigma or fear by speaking up and supporting one

another.