Communities hit by crises often endure long-term emotional and social wounds that slow recovery and weaken resilience.
Experts say integrating mental health and psychosocial support into Bangladesh’s emergency preparedness and disaster response systems is crucial to ensuring faster recovery and building stronger, more resilient communities.
The call came at a dialogue titled “Crisis to Care: Dialogue & Action on Mental Health,” held on Saturday at a hotel in Dhaka.
The event, organized by SAJIDA Foundation to mark World Mental Health Day 2025, brought together policymakers, healthcare professionals, academics, and development partners to push for mental health inclusion in crisis management.
Speakers noted that while Bangladesh has made significant progress in emergency response and disaster preparedness, psychological support remains largely neglected.
In a country of more than 170 million people, around 28 million are estimated to be living with mental health challenges.
Citing findings from the Bangladesh WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health Situational Assessment (2020), experts highlighted the country’s severe shortage of trained professionals — just 1,525 nationwide, including 260 psychiatrists, 565 psychologists, and 700 mental health nurses.
“This gap leaves millions without access to even basic psychological care,” one participant said.
The dialogue featured two panel discussions: “Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies – Importance of Access, Equity, and Psychological Support During Crisis” and “Pathways and Barriers to Services in Emergencies – Ensuring Mental Health Support in Times of Crisis.”
Participants emphasized that mental health support must become an essential part of Bangladesh’s humanitarian response system, not an afterthought.
In her opening remarks, SAJIDA Foundation Chief Executive Officer Zahida Fizza Kabir said mental health care should be embedded in disaster management frameworks.
“Mental health should not be an afterthought in emergencies. It must be built into disaster response systems so that appropriate services are ready whenever needed,” she said.
Kabir also called for unified coordination among all actors in the mental health sector.
“A single regulatory body should oversee all service providers under a common standard operating procedure to ensure better outcomes,” she said, urging collaboration between the government, private sector, NGOs, and development partners to expand access to mental health services.
Dr SM Mustafizur Rahman, program manager at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), stressed the need for greater resource allocation, multisectoral partnerships, and decentralization of mental health facilities.
“Currently, only 0.5% of the total health budget is spent on mental health, and most of it is tied to institutional expenses,” he said.
Other experts present included university professors, mental health specialists, and representatives from development organizations such as WHO, Unicef, UN Women, Plan International, and SAJIDA Foundation.
Participants also explored booths set up by SAJIDA’s social enterprises, Psychological Health and Wellness Care Limited, Inner Circle Private Limited, Neuroscience and Psychiatry Hub Limited, and Home and Community Care Limited, each showcasing innovations in mental health and community care.
The event also featured an art exhibition reflecting lived experiences of mental well-being, a guided mindfulness session, and a musical performance celebrating resilience and healing.
Through “Crisis to Care,” SAJIDA Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to bridging the gap between emergency response and long-term mental health care, promoting a holistic approach that centers human dignity, compassion, and emotional recovery alongside physical survival.