Mental health awareness in educational institutions

We are social beings and our mental health is often overlooked in many ways in our society. Societal norms and cultural superstitions contribute to this ignorance. While we are taught to take care of our physical health, we rarely prioritise our mental well-being the same way. This should not be the case. In our generation, we have the progress and advancement to take care of ourselves and improve the quality of our lives.

In our daily lives, we experience various forms of mental and emotional exhaustion that remain hidden or go unaddressed. In Bangladesh, mental health still carries a stigma. Many people do not acknowledge psychological conditions as real issues. Feelings like loneliness, depression, anxiety, and emotional pressure can affect us in both small and significant ways. Counselling, therapy, medical support, and psychological care are all important parts of dealing with these struggles. Yet, most people in our country are unaware of these resources.

One of the most common and harmful beliefs is that anyone seeking mental health support must be ‘abnormal’. Many do not understand that even people who appear normal can face internal struggles and may need help. Every educational and professional institution should create space for those who need support. The state can also take steps by using mass media to spread awareness. If more people begin to trust these support systems through public initiatives, we can begin to challenge the harmful beliefs rooted in society.

Mental health is now becoming something people are starting to speak about more often, especially as we begin to question old social ideas. To get the viewpoint of a teacher, this writer spoke to Md Shakibuzzaman, a lecturer in the Department of Law and Justice at Bangladesh University of Business and Technology. He said, "While there may be available services to counsel the students regarding mental health in their respective institutions, students may not find the accommodative spaces to help themselves. Stigmatic societal norms work as a barrier for students to ask for help. They refuse to recognise their problems, let alone asking for help. Teachers have to ensure the thoughts in educational institutions about stigma free environment. At the same time students have to get out of their fear of looking for a solution."

Getting professional support for mental stress should be treated as something normal in society. Our generation can work toward that change. People should be encouraged to seek help without hesitation. There is no shame in taking care of one's mental health. Professionals and doctors can also take a role in creating awareness by offering guidance and making help more accessible.

To get a student's insight, this writer spoke to her batch mate Saima Khan Ela, a student in the Department of Finance at University of Dhaka. She shared, "I believe mental awareness is largely absent in Bangladeshi educational institutions. Even when support exists, it's rarely nonjudgmental. Many students seek a safe space amid bullying and harassment. A truly supportive environment could bring meaningful change, reducing mental stress and even suicidal tendencies among students. Besides, many students experience depression due to various challenges in academic life, such as underperformance or unexpected incidents. The absence of adequate mental health awareness in educational institutions makes it difficult for them to navigate these issues. Therefore, I believe that introducing structured mental health initiatives could lead to substantial and lasting improvements in student well-being. It can make a significant impact on student well-being."

The Student Counselling and Guidance Office at the Teacher-Student Centre in the University of Dhaka offers professional counselling services. Even so, we continue to hear about cases of suicide among students in well-known institutions. On the other hand, these cases often go unnoticed in institutions located outside major cities. Students in those places often do not ask for help during emotional or mental crises because of lack of access, awareness, or fear.

According to the National Mental Health Survey of Bangladesh 2018-19 by the World Health Organisation Bangladesh, "Mental health is a taboo in Bangladeshi society and most people afflicted with such ailments usually do not seek medical help. Perhaps, it is the village shaman who is consulted first when people suspect one is suffering from mental ailments. Due to social stigma most mental health sufferers never get to meet a specialised doctor. Most qualified mental health specialists are located in cities and the cost of bringing patients to their attention is prohibitively high."

To understand how parents view this matter, this writer spoke to Ommey Salma Tanzia, the mother of Kabya Koninika Rahman, a student at the Institute of Health Economics at University of Dhaka. She was asked about the mental health of the younger generation. She said, "In my opinion, they are very restless as they have lots going around them. That is why they can't focus on a single aspect." When I asked her thoughts on counselling in educational institutions, she replied, "I strongly recommend having a structured counseling system in educational institutions but there is a huge lack in this area." When asked if there is enough awareness about counselling, she said, "No." Her short answer speaks volumes about how little the topic is discussed. She also said mental health should be a serious concern in daily life. About how institutions address this issue, she noted, "I don't think I have heard about structured counselling systems in institutes. Even if there is anything I don't think is sufficient for the students." On what kind of changes she would want to see, she added, "There should be changes. I think students should be educated and made aware of mental health on a mass level. Monthly sessions, classes and private sessions should be arranged for all the students."

The lack of proper help and the stigma surrounding mental health have led to many alarming events. One interview from an article titled "Understanding complex causes of suicidal behaviour among graduates in Bangladesh" published in BMC Public Health reveals this harsh reality. A student suffering from clinical depression was advised by doctors to rest. As a result, she missed classes. When she told her teacher the reason, she was told her illness was not real and that the younger generation exaggerates things. That comment had a severe impact on her and she attempted to take her life that same night. Fortunately, she was taken to the hospital in time.

Stories like this show us how important it is to have understanding and supportive environments in educational institutions. Students should not feel ashamed to ask for help when they are in need.

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