The government plans to expand community-based mental health services to 500 upazilas, starting with a pilot project in 20 upazilas, to make care more accessible to people across the country, State Minister for Health Dr MA Muhit has said.
He made the announcement at a seminar marking World Mental Health Day at the Bangla Academy on Tuesday.
The seminar, titled “Social Mental Health: A Step Towards Inclusive Social Welfare,” was jointly organized by Aachol Foundation, Human Rights Development Centre (HRDC), LEEDO and other social development organizations.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Employment Saiyed Bin Abdullah and former health secretary Sayedur Rahman also spoke at the event.
Dr Muhit said mental health had become a major public health concern worldwide, with conflict, loneliness, changing lifestyles and excessive digital dependence affecting people's well-being, particularly that of young people and adolescents.
Emphasizing human dignity and rights, he said violations of these rights had contributed to the mass uprising of August 5, warning that a failure to uphold human dignity could lead to further social unrest.
The state minister said healthcare development should go beyond constructing buildings and purchasing expensive equipment, stressing that skilled personnel were essential to delivering effective services.
The new project aims to connect the National Institute of Mental Health in Dhaka and Pabna Mental Hospital with healthcare facilities at district and upazila levels.
Highlighting the shortage of skilled mental health workers, he called for two- to three-year vocational diploma and technical courses to train professionals to provide counselling and psychological support in rural areas.
He also stressed the need for coordination among the ministries of health, social welfare, women and children affairs, and law to protect the rights of people with mental health conditions, ensure rehabilitation and reduce social stigma.
