Facebook partners with Bangladeshi orgs on mental health

Facebook has said it is making it easier for users in Bangladesh to connect with helplines by partnering with local organisations in an effort to support and raise awareness on mental health, reports UNB.

According to a 2019 survey, nearly 17 per cent of adults in Bangladesh are suffering from mental health issues, and 92 per cent among them do not seek professional help.

Through Facebook, people in Bangladesh can now access support resources at National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital, Moner Bondhu and Kaan Pete Roi.

These organisations provide regular counselling on suicide, depression, anxiety, panic attacks and other related issues.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has forced people to deal with isolation and navigate feelings of losses,” said Karuna Nain, director of Global Safety Policy at Facebook. “We want people to know that they aren’t alone by connecting them with organisations and experts who are there to listen and help.”

Facebook works with the world’s leading experts in mental wellbeing, seeking their inputs to create and modify products and processes.

In Bangladesh, the company has partnered with leading non-profits like Shuchona Foundation and Moner Bondhu to advise and improve policies and practices.

“One of the best ways to cope with grief is for people to hear from friends and family who care about them,” said Saima Wazed, chairperson of Shuchona Foundation and advisor to the director-general, WHO on Mental Health and Autism.

“We’re happy to partner with Facebook to raise awareness about mental health issues in Bangladesh. Making it easier for people to connect to communities and experts that offer support is an important step in addressing mental health.”

Facebook’s Community Standards cover policies around suicide and self-injury. A number of initiatives have been launched to connect people to mental health resources around the world, particularly as a result of the pandemic and its impact on health and mental wellbeing.

The company has also tightened its policy to avoid unintentionally promoting or triggering self-harm.

Facebook and Instagram will continue to connect people to mental health resources, ensuring that it is easy to seek help and get support, said a media release.