North South University’s (NSU) Department of Public Health and the NSU Counseling & Wellbeing Center, supported by the NSU Public Health and Science Club, celebrate World Mental Health Day 2025 with a poster presentation and a panel discussion highlighting youth mental health awareness, a press release said.
The panel discussion, “Youth Mental Health: Challenges & Chances” was held at the NSU Audi 801 and addressed university students’ mental health challenges, needs, and the actions required to support their wellbeing. The event was attended by several prominent mental health professionals and public health experts. The panelists included keynote speaker Dr. Ishakul Kabir, Program Officer of NCD and Mental Health of WHO Country Office Bangladesh; Professor Dr. Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Director of National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital; Professor Dr. Nazmul Hossain, Director General of Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME); Professor Abdul Khaleque, Proctor, NSU; and Dr. S M Saidur Rahman Mashreky, Associate Professor of Public Health Department, NSU. Professor Abdur Rob Khan, Treasurer & Pro-Vice Chancellor (IC) of North South University chaired the session.
In his keynote speech, Dr. Ishakul Kabir stressed the importance of youth mental health awareness in both a global and a local aspect. He talked about the stigma that revolves around mental health, stating that we feel comfortable talking about physical illnesses but we feel ashamed to talk about any mental health issue.
Professor Dr. Md. Mahbubur Rahman reflected on the current status of mental health services present in the country and addressed the resource gaps that existed in them. Dr. S M Saidur Rahman Mashreky explained different factors effecting mental health condition. Professor Dr. Abdul Khaleque explained the neuro-chemical basis of mental health issues.
Professor Dr. Nazmul Hossain, Director General of Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME) addressed the government’s mental health policy, action plan and future activities to ensure youth mental well-being. He stressed the importance to preserve self confidence and to always have good intentions.
Professor Abdur Rob Khan expressed the concern and compassion of the university for the students’ mental health and wellbeing.
Earlier in the day, the poster presentation exhibition titled, “Access to services – mental health in catastrophes and emergencies”, took place at the NSU Plaza with overwhelming participation from undergraduate and graduate students. The best three posters were awarded. The winner of the 1st prize was the poster, “Critical Moments, Critical Care: Mental Health in Student Transactions” by Tahsen and Mhanaz, which listed the various accommodation challenges that students faced at university and the possible solutions that could be taken to resolve the issue. The 1st runner up poster, “Mental Health Vending Machine” by Sumaiya, Jidnee, and Nishat, proposed a mental health chat bot specifically targeted for the Gen Z age group. The 2nd runner up poster, “Mental Health Vending Machine” by Sumaiya, Jidnee, and Nishat, displayed the various myths that centered around mental health.
