World Mental Health Day was held yesterday with the slogan-`Mental Health for All-Greater Investment and Greater Success’’.

To celebrate the day, various programs were organized at Ahsania Mission Drug Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Center Gazipur, Jessore Men’s Center and Women’s Center in Dhaka, said a press release.

Ahsania Mission Drug Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Center Gazipur organized a special discussion meeting on “Improving the Mental Health of Drug Addicts” with the patients receiving treatment at the center. Abu Hassan Mandal, Counsellor, read out the main article highlighting the significance of the day and the importance of mental health. The meeting was attended by Mizanur Rahman, Center Manager, Medical Center, Counselor, Case Manager, Programmer and others. At the end of the meeting, friendly football matches and cultural programs were organized with the participation of the patients of the center.

Ahsania Mission Drug Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Center Jessore organized a discussion meeting with the family members of the patients and are undergoing treatment at the centre at 11 am, a human chain and rally in front of Jessore Daratana and Sadar Hospital at 4 pm. Md. Amiruzzaman, the manager of the Jessore center, highlighted the significance of the day and the importance of mental health. Dr Md. Abdus Salam (Selim), Psychiatrist, Assistant Professor Kushtia Medical College Hospital, Kushtia was present as the chief guest in the meeting. Also present was News Editor HR Tuhin Pratidiner Kotha, Jessore, Chief Reporter Mr Tabibar Rahman, Samajer Kotha, Jessore Press Club, Jessore, Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation Officer Parul Akter Jessore. Also present at the meeting were the Case Manager, Programmer and others. The entire program was conducted by the Masud Rana, Counselor of Jessore Center, Representatives of various government and non-government organizations participated in the rally. Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation Jessore jointly participated in the rally and human chain with Jessore Center.

A sharing meeting was also held at the Ahsania Mission Female Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Dhaka to celebrate the day. The program was attended by family members who came to the centre for recovery and treatment, and professionals involved in the service. The meeting was organized online through zoom. Umme Jannat, Program Officer of the Center, delivered the welcome address at the beginning of the meeting. In this meeting female centre psychiatrist Akhtaruzzaman Selim, Counselor, Farzana Akhter Sweety, and Case Manager, Mamtaz Khatun gave a speech regarding the Mental Health Day. At the end of the meeting, Md. Amir Hossain, Clinical Psychologist, Coordinator of Dam IRSOP Project gave the concluding speech. The meeting was moderated by Firose Jihan, Counselor, Ahsania Mission Female Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center.

Participants in all programs recommended increasing the government’s financial investment in mental health care. This will create opportunities for those who need treatment and many families are unable to afford the long-term treatment. In the last one year, Ahsania Mission Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre provided treatment to 198 patients including 62 female and 140 male patients who were suffering from mental health problems from the three treatment centers of Dhaka Ahsania Mission.