Photo: Collected
In a message issued today on the occasion of World Mental Health Day 2026, President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said respect and empathy must be shown to those suffering from mental health problems. He also stressed that the support of family and society is essential in ensuring proper mental healthcare for those affected. The day falls tomorrow.
In the president’s words, ‘To ensure the overall mental well-being of all citizens of the country, I call for strengthening awareness activities on mental health at health centres and educational institutions, alongside government and private initiatives.’
In the message, he welcomed the initiative taken to observe the day in Bangladesh. In his words, ‘I welcome the initiative to observe World Mental Health Day in Bangladesh, as in other countries of the world.’
The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘Listen to life’s stories, bring real change’. The president described the theme as extremely timely and significant in the present context. He said its core message is to listen attentively to those who have experience of mental health problems and to give importance to their opinions and experiences in service planning and policymaking.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said mental health is an indispensable part of a person’s overall well-being, capacity to work and quality of life. The changed global situation, economic instability, social unrest, loneliness, drug addiction, pressure in the family and at the workplace, and the various adversities of daily life are having a deep impact on people’s mental health. For that reason, he considers mental well-being to be just as important as physical health.
He said, ‘I hope that everyone’s collective efforts to build a mentally healthy and productive nation will continue.’
The president said the present government has taken various initiatives to bring mental healthcare to people’s doorsteps. Activities to integrate mental healthcare with primary healthcare have also been undertaken. In his view, the role of family and society is extremely important in identifying mental health problems and getting proper services to those affected. He also laid emphasis on creating public awareness so that people seek proper medical care instead of faith healing or unscientific methods of treatment.
The president wished overall success to the programmes taken up on the occasion of World Mental Health Day.
