The stigma surrounding mental illness remains pervasive in society. A deeply ingrained misconception equates mental illness with madness, and mental health challenges are often misattributed to personal flaws, genetics, or biological factors. Due to a lack of understanding, mental illnesses are frequently dismissed as untreatable, further marginalising those who suffer from them.
Society tends to trivialise mental health issues, attributing them to trivial causes rather than recognising their complexity and the necessity for professional intervention. The stigma has created an environment where individuals suffering from mental illnesses are unfairly labelled as "mad", perpetuating discrimination and misunderstanding.
Common symptoms of mental illness include sadness, guilt, sleep disturbances, excessive worry, fear, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, mood swings, extreme emotional highs and lows, delusions, social isolation, and persistent trauma after a distressing event. When untreated, these symptoms can escalate into severe and chronic disorders.
Recent surveys highlight the critical state of mental health in Bangladesh. More than three million people - approximately one in four - suffer from mental illnesses. Around 18.7 per cent of adults and 12.6 per cent of children and adolescents are affected by some form of mental disorder. Factors such as unemployment, depression, instability, personal and societal irregularities, chaos, multiple pressures, unfulfilled desires, greed, and a lack of accountability are transforming many, especially the youth, into mental health patients.
Over 10,000 people in Bangladesh die by suicide each year due to mental illness. Furthermore, 42 per cent of severe mental health patients also suffer from at least one chronic physical condition, including pain, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, heart problems, brain tumours, and liver or kidney failure.
Despite the gravity of the situation, mental healthcare in Bangladesh receives minimal attention. Mental health facilities are absent at both district and upazila levels, leaving millions without access to proper care.
To combat the growing prevalence of mental illnesses and reduce suicides, urgent steps must be taken. Public awareness about mental health needs to be significantly increased across rural and urban areas. Establishing mental healthcare facilities at district and upazila levels is essential. Ensuring access to qualified psychologists and addressing stigma are crucial steps towards fostering a healthier, more inclusive society.
It is high time for the government to prioritise the mental health of the nation and allocate resources to create an effective mental healthcare system. Mental illness is treatable, and no one should have to suffer in silence due to societal misconceptions or inadequate resources.
Abu Sufian Sarkar Shuvo
Student,
Department of Social Work
Jagannath University
asshuvo2001@gmail.com
