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A new study revealed on Tuesday that mental health disorders alarmingly exist among pregnant and new mothers in Bangladesh.
The survey found that 77 per cent of pregnant and postpartum women visiting health facilities for services were diagnosed with depression or anxiety.
Among those diagnosed, 66 per cent experienced both conditions at the same time.
Researchers presented the findings of the study titled "Enhancing Access to Mental Health Service Through Telemedicine Health Service at Wellbeing Centre in Bangladesh" conducted by icddr,b under the project "Advancing Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (AdSEARCH)" at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) office in Dhaka.
Conducted between 2022 and 2025, the study observed 7,500 people in seven district and sub-district hospitals outside Dhaka. Of them, 5,600 women were receiving care.
The women who were depressed showed signs like depression, sleep disturbance, anhedonia, fatigue, agitation, self-critical, lack of appetite, lack of concentration, and suicidal ideation.
Two more research papers on mental health from AdSEARCHMental Health of Reproductive-aged Women.
The research showed that cyberbullying had a serious impact on the mental health of teenage girls.
Experts at the event stated that the "Monoshasthyo Kendra (Wellbeing Centre) model can be a very effective example for providing mental healthcare to pregnant and postpartum women in Bangladesh.
Aniqa Tasnim Hossain, associate scientist at icddr,b, discussed how tele-mental health services can make mental healthcare more accessible.
Prof Dr Md. Mahbubur Rahman, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, noted that the government has trained 600 doctors at the upazila level on mental health.
He added that more initiatives, such as the tele-mental health service of the Monoshwasthya Center, are essential to reach Bangladesh's large population.
Sharing his reflections on behalf of Global Affairs Canada, Edward Cabrera, First Secretary - Development (Health) at the Canadian High Commission in Bangladesh, expressed optimism that Canada will continue its efforts to ensure every woman has access to the mental health support she needs.
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