Dhaka, January 25, 2025:
A day-long seminar and workshop focused on increasing mental health awareness and promoting empathy in society was held on January 25, 2025. The event was organized by the China Bangladesh Friendship Center Limited, Asian Club Limited, Rotary Club of Dhaka East, and SHADOW.
The program, which took place at the Faith Bangladesh Auditorium in Lalmatia, Dhaka, saw the participation of over a hundred attendees. The seminar featured special discussions on mental health awareness and included workshops with participants from various levels of society, including young people.
The event was hosted by Mohammad Saddam Hossain Roni, the founder of SHADOW. In his opening speech, he said,
“Mental health is often neglected, but it influences every aspect of our lives. Without ensuring mental well-being, it is impossible to create a healthy society.”
Distinguished Guests Present:
The event featured several notable guests. Mahmudul Hasan, former president of the Rotary Club of Dhaka Abnir, stated, “Working on mental health is a humanitarian responsibility. SHADOW’s work in this area is commendable and timely.”
Former president of the Rotary Club of Eskaton Dhaka, Zihadul Islam, said, “Raising awareness among the youth in this field will help create a better and more empathetic society. SHADOW’s initiative will bring positive change to society.”
Firoz Alam Tipu, former president of the Rotary Club of Dhaka East, remarked, “We need to raise awareness about mental health among all sections of society. This initiative could mark the beginning of a powerful change.”
Tofail Ahmed Chowdhury, current president of the Rotary Club of Dhaka East, expressed, “Such initiatives bring us together on a single platform where we can discuss and take effective actions on mental health.”
Rotary Club of Dhaka East’s secretary, Rotarian Ashik Ahmed, added, “The work of SHADOW and its partner organizations will strengthen the movement for mental health awareness.”
Special Speakers’ Presentations:
The session’s keynote speaker was Dr. Rowshan Ara Zaman (Ruby), a renowned psychiatrist. She said, “Mental health is not just a personal matter, it is a family and social issue. Without mental well-being, creating a peaceful society is impossible.”
Mohammad Saddam Hossain Roni, founder of SHADOW and the host of the event, stated, “We need a platform to share our mental stresses, and that’s why we launched the ‘Talk Hope’ project, where everyone can speak openly.”
Kanun Faisal, president of the Rotaract Club of Dhaka Orchid, said in a special discussion, “Our main goal is to raise awareness about mental health among the youth. Rotaract will always stand with SHADOW in this cause.”
Statements from Participating Organizations:
Ahanaf Adib from SHADOW said, “SHADOW always works towards building a society where empathy and humanity are the greatest virtues.”
Tahsin Ghazi, representing the Talk Hope project, added, “Through Talk Hope, we are creating a platform where people struggling with depression can share their pain and find support.”
Nashita Sara and Naimur Hossain Anik from the World Human Rights Forum shared their views, with Naimur Hossain Anik stating, “It’s time we consider mental health as a human right.”
Mominul Islam Nabil from the Interact Club of Dhaka Paramount emphasized, “We need to make the younger generation more aware of mental health.”
Remarks from Various Representatives:
Sadia Jahan Tuba, president of the Leo Club of Eden Women’s College, said, “Mental health awareness needs to reach every section of society, both urban and rural. If we, the youth, work together, change is possible.”
Adiba Azm Mati from the Rotary Interact Alumni Association of South Asia (RIAASA) said, “Working on mental health is crucial for the future generations. If we collaborate, we can build a healthy society.”
Ali Akbar Rafi from RIAASA added, “Discussions on mental stress and depression are essential for society, and SHADOW’s initiative is highly commendable in this regard.”
Yasin Arafat from the Interact Club of Dhaka Paramount said, “We should encourage young people to work on mental health awareness. Together, we can spread awareness.”
Afra Anjum from the China Bangladesh Friendship Center Limited emphasized, “Working on mental health will bring a fresh perspective to our society. This is a timely initiative.”
Tanveer Hossain Sakib from the China Bangladesh Friendship Center Limited shared, “If we had understood the importance of mental health earlier, many societal problems could have been resolved. Such initiatives help create that awareness.”
Other Guest Remarks:
Special guests including Robiul Islam Robin, Sajibul Islam, Khaledul Alam Sajib, Rubel Sheikh, and Minhajul Abedin Jisan also spoke. Robiul Islam Robin said, “Everyone needs to be aware of mental health as it impacts every aspect of our lives.”
SM Sajibul Islam added, “This workshop is just the beginning. We need to work more extensively on mental health.”
Khaledul Alam Sajib stated, “It’s our social responsibility to work on mental health awareness, and this event plays a significant role in fulfilling that responsibility.”
Rubel Sheikh commented, “We need to create an environment where we can discuss mental health openly. SHADOW’s initiative is highly commendable in this regard.”
Minhajul Abedin Jisan concluded, “If we all work together on mental health, we can build a healthy society.”
Special Honors and Workshop:
The event’s highlight was the recognition of Suhana Rahman Sukanya for her work in mental health awareness. She said, “This recognition will inspire me even more. SHADOW’s initiative makes me feel more responsible.”
The event also included a day-long workshop on mental health awareness, where participants received advice and solutions from psychologists. During the Q&A session, participants had the opportunity to clear their doubts and gain new insights.
Closing Remarks:
At the end of the event, certificates and special awards were distributed to participants. In his closing speech, Mohammad Saddam Hossain Roni said, “We will continue this work on mental health awareness. Our goal is to build a society where every individual will be empathetic.”
After the event, Dr. Fakhrul Islam Babu, Secretary General of China Bangladesh Friendship Center Limited and President of Asian Club, virtually joined the session and stated, “China Bangladesh Friendship Center Limited will continue these mental health awareness activities in the future. Our goal is to create a strong and healthy mental environment in society, where every individual can openly talk about their mental health and support each other with empathy. We believe that such initiatives will raise awareness and play a key role in building a healthy society.”
The day-long program has provided a vital message about the importance of mental health awareness and its role in our personal and social lives. The initiative by SHADOW and its partner organizations has been highly praised by both participants and guests.