To mark World Mental Health Day 2026, special
newspaper supplements were published across nine national newspapers in
Bangladesh, helping bring mental health messages to readers across the country.
The supplements appeared in seven
Bangla-language and two English-language newspapers: Bangladesh Pratidin,
Bhorer Akash, Jaijaidin, Jugantor, Kalbela, Dainik Amader Shomoy, Prothom Alo,
New Age and The Daily Star.
Published on 10 October, the supplements
highlighted Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to strengthen mental health services,
promote mental well-being and raise awareness of the importance of mental
health. By reaching audiences through some of the country’s major national
newspapers, the initiative helped bring mental health into wider public
discussion and reinforce its importance as a national health and social
priority.
The supplements featured messages from national
leaders, senior government officials and health-sector representatives,
reflecting broad engagement with the mental health agenda. Contributors
included the President and Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of
Bangladesh; the Vice President of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation (ZRF) ; the
Ministers responsible for Health and Family Welfare, Social Welfare, and Women
and Children Affairs; the Special Assistant on Health Affairs to the Prime
Minister; the State Minister for Health and Family Welfare; and the Secretary
of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Messages were also contributed by the WHO
Representative to Bangladesh, the Director General of the Directorate General
of Health Services, and the Director of the National Institute of Mental
Health.
Together, the supplements underscored the
importance of sustained attention to mental health, strengthening accessible
and responsive services, and continuing efforts to reduce stigma and increase
public understanding of mental health conditions.
World Mental Health Day provides an opportunity
each year to raise awareness, strengthen commitment and encourage action to
ensure that mental health is recognized as an essential part of health and
well-being. The nationwide publication of the supplements provided an
opportunity to extend these messages beyond the health sector and reach people
in communities across Bangladesh.