Mahbub Pial, Faridpur

A day-long awareness workshop titled "Women's Mental Health: Awareness, Empathy and Practical Actions" was held in Faridpur to raise awareness about women's mental well-being, foster empathetic behavior, and provide foundational concepts in psychological first aid.

The workshop took place on Wednesday at the conference room of Belpiato Chinese Restaurant in the city. It was organized by Nandita Surokkha under the SPACE Project, with support from the Foundation for Women Possibilities. A total of 25 participants—including working women from various institutions, young adults, youth activists, volunteers, women's rights advocates, and representatives of social development organizations—attended the program.

Mahapara Alam, a mental health and psychosocial well-being program specialist from the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), served as the resource person for the workshop. She delivered a detailed presentation on the current realities of women's mental health, occupational and educational mental health risks, triggers for stress, anxiety, burnout, and depression, early warning signs, and the critical importance of empathetic responses and psychological first aid in distress situations.

Conducted in an interactive format, the workshop featured expert presentations, group discussions, experience sharing, a question-and-answer session, and the drafting of personal action plans, giving participants practical knowledge and skills. Attendees, particularly youth and activists, were encouraged to play active roles in spreading positive messaging and building supportive environments within their respective workplaces and communities.

Tahiyatul Jannat, Executive Director of Nandita Surokkha, remarked during the event that a woman's mental health is a fundamental right and ensuring her psychological well-being is vital for a healthy society. She affirmed that Nandita Surokkha will continue such awareness initiatives in the future to safeguard the mental health, rights, and welfare of women and youth.

The concluding session was addressed by ANM Fazlul Hadi Sabbir, Executive Director of the Friendship Foundation (BFF), who noted that a woman's mental health is just as important as her physical health. He emphasized that without ensuring mental well-being, the overall development of individuals, families, workplaces, and society as a whole remains severely hindered.