Counseling Unit of Brac University (BracU) organised a round-table discussion on the wake of this years' World Mental Health Day on Saturday at the Conference room of it’s Mohakhali Campus.
Every year, World Mental Health Day (10 October) comes with a lot of promise to review and improve mental health challenges, conditions and services around the world. This year’s theme was suicide prevention. According to WHO, almost every 40 seconds, someone loses their life. But why is this happening? The round-table discussion was organised to find answers of some pressing questions and also to explore new avenues of collaboration among each other.
The discussion titled "Promoting mental health of young adults: Role of mental health professionals and academic institutions". Selected mental health professionals, faculty members and other stakeholders of different academic and health institutions participated in the discussion.
Professor Mehtab Khanam, renowned Psychologist said that with the changing pattern of society, psychology of young people was changing as well. Sometimes, it became challenge for us to provide them proper treatment. So, to address these new challenges we should build a strong network and work collaboratively.
Psychiatrist at National Institute of Mental Health Dr Helal Uddin Ahmed said that according to a recent study found that 53% children aged 5-17 thought that their parents did not understand them. He added that parents were too much concerned about child’s academic grade rather than building strong emotional connection with them.
All the speakers agreed to the fact that effective communication was a must need between parents and children for sound mental health of young adults. Instead of blaming internet addiction of teenagers, we should also take a look on their parenting.
Dr Mehtab Khanam, also the advisor of the Counseling Unit, BracU moderated the entire session. Among other notable invited speakers, Bangladeshi liberation war researcher and Professor at BracU Dr Afsan Chowdhury, Associate Professor of the Department Of Clinical Psychology at Dhaka Uniiversity Dr. Kamal Chowdhury, Addictions Psychiatrist at Psychological Health and Wellness Clinic Dr. Ashique Selim, Professor at James P Grant School of Public Health Dr Kaosar Afsana, Associate Professor of Department of Economics and Social Sciences at BracU Dr Seuty Sabur were present.
Associate Vice President, Student Life and Director of Brac Institute of Languages Lady Syeda Sarwat Abed also spoke at the discussion while other counselors of Counseling Unit were present at the event.
