On 2 October, the Bangladesh Association of Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows (BACSAF) hosted a seminar in Dhaka on the importance of mental health in daily life. The seminar aimed to promote mental health awareness and support the implementation of wider measures to address mental health through the alumni network in Bangladesh. The event brough together over 60 attendees, representing alumni and other professionals working across different sectors in Bangladesh.
The event was opened by Commonwealth Alumni Syed M Istiak (2005 Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholar) and Professor M Shahidul Islam (2002 Commonwealth Scholar), BACSAF General Secretary, who provided a brief background to BACSAF. David Knox, Director of Programmes, British Council Bangladesh, then gave opening remarks.
Syed M Istiak introduced the key event speakers, Monira Rahman (2012 Commonwealth Professional Fellow), Founder, Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation, and Fatema Putul, Director, Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation, to begin the formal sessions. The Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation promotes mental health awareness and encourages access to mental health services in Bangladesh.
The speakers shared information about mental health and mental health services through a range of activities, including presentation, interactive exercises, and videos, and introduced attendees to mindfulness and self-reflection techniques. Following their sessions, attendees participated in a Q&A.
The event closed with thanks from BACSAF organisers and a concluding speech from Professor M Rafiqul Islam (2005 Commonwealth Academic Fellow), BACSAF President. This was followed by a networking reception for all attendees.
