Suhana Rahman Shukonna Nominated for International Children’s Peace Prize 2024 for Outstanding Mental Health Advocacy

Hong Kong, October 15, 2024 — In a remarkable recognition of her unwavering commitment to mental health advocacy, Suhana Rahman Shukonna, a dedicated 10th-grade student at Bir Shreshtha Noor Mohammad Public School & College in Dhaka, has been nominated for the prestigious International Children’s Peace Prize 2024. This honor acknowledges her exceptional efforts in promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention through the Talk Hope Project, an inspiring initiative by SHADOW (Society for Humanity And Development Over the World).

Suhana’s nomination highlights her tireless work in empowering teenagers to voice their mental health struggles, particularly in the critical area of suicide prevention. Through the Talk Hope Project, she has led impactful awareness campaigns, organized insightful seminars, and fostered a supportive community for young individuals grappling with mental health challenges.

From May to July 2024, Suhana and her passionate team conducted awareness seminars across eight districts of Bangladesh, reaching thousands of teenagers and young adults. The project’s powerful theme, “Let’s break the silence around mental health and suicide. Together, we can create a world where every teenager feels heard, supported, and valued,” has resonated deeply, touching the lives of over 8,000 young people through social media outreach and direct engagement. In addition, Suhana has personally interacted with more than 600 teenagers in workshops and seminars, equipping them with mental resilience and encouraging open discussions about mental health.

Her leadership at the Talk Hope Support Center has been pivotal in raising awareness about mental health—a topic often shrouded in stigma. Over 1,000 teenagers have directly benefited from her initiatives, gaining vital support and guidance to navigate their mental health struggles.

Suhana’s outstanding leadership and dedication within SHADOW, an organization devoted to addressing humanitarian challenges, have earned her this prestigious nomination. The KidsRights Foundation in Amsterdam, Netherlands, which presents the International Children’s Peace Prize, has recognized her as one of the top 100 nominees from around the globe. Suhana is one of 13 Bangladeshis on this esteemed list this year.

As the eldest daughter of Muhammad Shoebur Rahman, a senior store officer at the Central Printing Office of the Bangladesh Power Development Board, and Khaleda Sultana, Suhana is supported wholeheartedly by her family, including her brother and sister, as she strives to create meaningful change in the lives of young people.

The International Children’s Peace Prize honors children who have made significant contributions to the rights and well-being of other children. Suhana’s impactful work through the Talk Hope Project exemplifies the transformative power of youth-led initiatives in addressing critical issues like mental health and suicide prevention, inspiring her peers and future generations to take action. Her dedication brings hope to those in need and is a beacon of courage and resilience for young advocates everywhere.

## Dhaka Reporter ##