Today marks World Mental Health Day, with the theme "Now is the Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace."

To observe the day, Dhaka University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, and the National Institute of Mental Health have organised various seminars, meetings, and processions.

Despite the growing concern over mental health in Bangladesh, there has been no survey, research, or data collected in the last five years on the number of people affected by mental illnesses.

However, the World Health Organization estimates that over 30 million people in the country are in need of mental health services.

Helal Uddin Ahmed, associate professor at the National Institute of Mental Health attribute this alarming situation to workplace stress, low wages, layoffs, job dissatisfaction, and a lack of social support. Poverty and the fear of losing social status further exacerbate the issue, leading to depression among workers.