Bangladesh needs to invest in youth

With a half of the country's population aged below 30, the importance of investing in the youth is most apparent in countries like Bangladesh, said Argentina Matavel Piccin, country representative of UNFPA yesterday.

Stating a UN research that showed 20 percent of the global young people of 15-24 years experience "mental health conditions", she urged the government and policy makers to “take special initiatives for the youth with mental health needs so that they can contribute their full potential for the development of the nation.”

She was addressing a discussion organised by The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), United Nation Volunteer (UNV) and Bangladesh Protibondhi Foundation (BPF) in the BPF auditorium in the capital.

The event was organised marking International Youth Day with the theme: “Mental Health Matters”.

M Moniruzzaman, officer-in-charge of UNIC, read out a message of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

“Wide-ranging efforts at all levels are needed to raise awareness about the importance of investing in and supporting young people with mental health conditions.  Increased education is crucial in reducing stigma and in changing how we talk about and perceive mental health, the message read.

“Let us begin to talk about our mental-health in the same way we talk about our overall health,” it added.

Anuja Begum, principal of Kalyani Inclusive School, highlighted how youngsters with mental health conditions often experience stigma and discrimination which discourage them from even seeking help.

Following the discussion, Piccin inaugurated an art exhibition by autistic children.