Shawdesh Desk:

Expressing concern that a large number of people in Bangladesh, including women and girls, are enduring mental health issues, education minister Dipu Moni on Monday said that mental wellbeing is of utmost importance.

‘We know that we are going through turmoil but we don’t admit it or talk about it. Many are realising problems exist, but don’t seek medical help,’ the education minister observed.

She said this while addressing an event on a study, entitled ‘Exploring Attitude towards Gender Norms among the Youth Population in Bangladesh’, organised by Brac on the occasion of Girl Child Day on Monday.

Dipu Moni said, ‘When we become physically ill, we rush to the hospital, but we are not serious about our mental health. We are reluctant to see a psychiatrist or a therapist. Our children are addicted to devices but we are not consulting any therapist about the issues. We fear that if we take our children to a psychiatrist, people will criticize and say they have gone mad.’

‘We go through confusion, trauma but don’t want to accept the reality,’ she added.

The education minister emphasized the need to focus on students’ mental health and urged all to treat this social issue with much care.

She also suggested consulting therapists if needed, ignoring social taboo.