Most people suffering from mental illnesses in Bangladesh do not receive proper treatment. Persistent social stigma, where mental illness is still equated with being “pagol” (mad), often makes people embarrassed, causes them to avoid treatment, or even deny their condition.
This was highlighted during a roundtable discussion held on Thursday (October 9) at the Jago News office in Middle Badda, Dhaka, with experts in attendance. The event, titled “Mental Health Services in Disaster and Emergency Situations,” was organized ahead of World Mental Health Day. The discussion was chaired by Jago News Editor KM Zeaul Haque, while Planning Editor Moniruzzaman Uzzal moderated the session. The keynote presentation was delivered by Associate Professor Dr. Mohammad Muntasir Maruf of the National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital.
Other participants included retired Professor Dr. Nilufar Akhter Jahan of NIMHH, Associate Professor and Child-Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist Dr. Sadia Afrin, Assistant Professor Dr. S. M. Zikrul Islam of the Psychiatry Department, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Clinical Psychologist Mesbahul Islam of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Psychiatric Social Worker Jamal Hossain, Senior Staff Nurse Shafiul Azam, Senior Counselor Mehedi Mobarak Aman from Moner Bondhu, and Jago News Deputy Editor Dr. Harun Rashid.
In his keynote, Dr. Muntasir Maruf said, “Even 20–30 years ago, very little attention was paid to mental health in Bangladesh. Recently, awareness has increased through government and non-government initiatives, but we are still far behind.”
Dr. Mohammad Muntasir Maruf, Associate Professor at the National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital, Dhaka, speaking at a roundtable discussion on mental health services.
According to the expert, a 2018–19 survey found that 18.7 percent of adults in the country suffer from some form of mental illness, with depression and anxiety being the most common. Among children and adolescents, the prevalence is 12.6 percent. However, only a small fraction seek treatment. The survey revealed that nearly 92 percent of affected adults and 94 percent of affected children have never accessed any mental health services, including medication or counseling.
Shame and Social Stigma
Dr. Maruf identified social stigma and fear of embarrassment as the main reasons people avoid mental health care. “People still equate mental illness with being ‘pagol’. Some view it as the effect of a ghost, sin, or black magic. Such beliefs keep people from seeking medical treatment,” he said.
He also noted that the country’s mental health infrastructure remains inadequate. The National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital in Agargaon, Dhaka, has 400 beds, while Pabna Mental Hospital has 500 beds, both providing large-scale services. Other government and private medical colleges have psychiatry departments, but the number of specialist doctors remains relatively low. Currently, Bangladesh has over 350 psychiatrists and 600–700 psychologists, clinical psychologists, and counselors, but only 70–75 clinical psychologists, which is far below the country’s demand.