World Mental Health Day: Initiative launched to support climate change victims
An initiative has been taken jointly by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Moner Bondhu to address the psychological impacts brought about by climate change, for the people in the coastal belt.
An event was organised in Kamarkhola Union of Dakope upazila under Khulna District to mark World Mental Health Day, where nearly 50 people, including men, women and adolescents from climate-vulnerable areas of Bangladesh, were brought together to raise awareness on the correlation between climate change and mental wellbeing, as well as provide strategies to the victims to build psycho-social resilience in their day-to-day struggle with the impacts due to natural disasters.
Rowshan Ara Begum, one of the participants who attended the event mentioned, "Never in all my 25 years of work have I been part of such a unique session".
According to a recent report (2022), salinity, rising sea levels, and other adverse climate impacts could cause as many as 13.3 million people to leave their homes in the coastal areas of Bangladesh by 2050, said UNDP in a press release.
Climate change poses serious risks to mental health and emotional well-being, from distress to anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, grief, and suicidal behaviour.
"This session made us feel confident from within", said Rozina, a housewife from Kamarkhola Ward No. "I had no idea that simple breathing techniques and free-hand exercise could make me feel better both physically and mentally. Among all the training I have attended, this was surely the most rewarding one."
"Please hold more sessions like this", urged Piya, a student from Shivnagar, Ward No. 4. "When we feel mentally at peace, we can focus on our studies, our day-to-day activities and basically handle anything life throws at us. After today, we all feel important to ourselves."
Panchayanan Kumar Mondol, Chairman, Kamarkhola Union Parishad, said, "Prior to this initiative, I myself never considered the effects of climate change on the mind. I want to support you in any way I can so that such events can take place."
Highlighting the long-term significance of this event, the Founder and CEO of Moner Bondhu -- a winning startup of Youth Co: Lab--, Tawhida Shiropa stated, "This was not only a new experience for our beneficiaries, but also for us. We will continue to extend our support to build resilience and bring positivity to the lives of the climate-vulnerable population of Bangladesh."
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