Shunbo encourages people to feel the freedom to share in the first anonymous mental health support group of Bangladesh. “Share without hesitation” is the core philosophy by which the initiative functions.
Shunbo was inaugurated on 5thJuly 2020 amidst the onset of the general unrest brought forth by the pandemic-induced lockdown. While the need for a safe space that offered liberation from the stigma attached to mental health was evident, the sudden lockdown worked as an encouragement for the founders of Shunbo to create a virtual media platform that allows its listeners to anonymously share their burdens with a crowd, each taking inspiration from others going through relatable struggles.
“The idea of the first ever anonymous support group meeting in Bangladesh really piqued my interest. I am a mental health counsellor by profession, and throughout my practice, the hesitation surrounding mental health discussions in the country has been extremely noticeable”, said Rezwana Sultana, Advisor of Shunbo, Mental Health Counsellor.
She further said that she applauds Shunbo for the work it is doing, as a non-profit organization, in bridging the gap. She is beyond excited to see what else can be done, as a team, bring to alter the status quo for the better.
Mohammad Samiur Rahman, Co-founder & Head of External Affairs told Bangladesh Post that Shunbo was created from the shared experiences of the co-founders in their everyday lives.
“We felt that there was a lack of a safe space where people could fearlessly open up and express themselves. But at the same time, we knew it wasn’t an easy thing to open up in a place where mental health problems are stigmatized. Instead of waiting for such an initiative to take place, we wanted to be the spark that starts the fire”, he said.
In a country where mental illness is still associated with craziness, maintaining anonymity in the support group sessions makes for a judgment-free environment where participants do not have to worry about being stigmatized amid a crowd..
Currently, a total of 20 support group meetings have been successfully hosted by Shunbo. The platform now has its very own advisor in Rezwana Sultana, a professional mental health counselor and moderator of the most recent support group meeting
The anonymous group sessions are accessible free of charge. To assert quality control, unruly participation is evaded by strict regulation. Listeners are more comfortable with their words being read instead of being heard and it I encouraged to share via the Anonymous Post option in the official Facebook group of Shunbo or to interact through texts in the virtual meeting rooms, which is then read aloud by our moderator during sessions.
On 7th November 2020, Shunbo welcomed its first batch of volunteers through a virtual orientation. 35 individuals with an eclectic range of aptitudes, all the while harboring a similar passion for mental health advocacy, were chosen and assigned to various departments.
Shunbo is the embodiment of the altruistic responses to the cries for help that have been left unheard and unattended. As an organization, it is no more about just carrying out campaigns that benefit people in the short run but lend a hand to humanity and go beyond the horizon that one can only wish to step on. By doing the right thing and keeping the momentum, Shunbo is determined to keep the emblem of change shining on Bangladesh, and hopefully the world at large.
