A seminar titled Depression and Suicide: A Bridge to Hope was held at Samsunnahar Hall of Dhaka University (DU) on Wednesday evening. Actor ABM Suman, who featured in the film Dhaka Attack, addressed the participants as the chief guest.
Suman said that it is of utmost importance to take care of mental health, in order to live a happy life. He also encouraged the students to think positively and perceive the world as a beautiful place, to help reduce one's depression.
Dr Supriya Saha, provost of Samsunnahar Hall addressed the function as guest of honour.
Psychologists Monira Rahman and Mostak Ahmed Imran, musician Farzana Wahid Shayan, News Editor of ATN Bangla Nadira Kiron, Dhaka Tribune's Senior Reporter Shohel Mamun, and Chief Executive of Aachol Foundation Tansen Rose were present as discussants.
Monira Rahman, who is also the founder and executive director of Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation, stressed the need for getting rid of negative thinking. She said: "It is we who define ourselves to be ugly, and less confident. That is completely wrong. We all are unique in our own ways."
There was a Q&A session as the concluding part of the seminar. Students of Samsunnahar Hall asked questions about relationship, depression, anxiety, career, etc. And the discussants answered each of the questions with a lot of care.
While answering a question about punishing oneself as a consequence of heavy depression, Monira said: "We can follow the technique of self-rewarding; that we can reward ourselves for our own efforts for leading a happy life."
A short documentary was also screened to show the activities of Aachol Foundation before the closing of the seminar.
Samsunnahar Hall Union and Aachol Foundation jointly organized the seminar. Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation provided technical support to the event.
