State Minister for Women and Child Affairs Simeen Hussain Rimi said that suicide has emerged as a complex social problem in Bangladesh and emphasised that it is possible to eliminate it through combined efforts from both the public and private sectors.
“Today, with the availability of the internet, mental health information is more readily available than ever before,” said Simeen Hussain Rimi while speaking as the chief guest at the suicide prevention policy briefing organized by 'Kan Pete Rai' at the BRAC Center in Mohakhali today (May 17).
The state minister highlighted the close relationship between mental health and suicide. She noted that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given special importance to healthcare, alongside other sectors, in building a Smart Bangladesh.
The state minister mentioned that mental problems can lead to suicide. She explained that hormonal changes during puberty make teenage girls particularly vulnerable, as they become very sensitive during this time.
Pointing out the causes of suicide, the state minister identified several significant reasons, including parental ambitions regarding education, failure in romantic relationships, cyberbullying, profile hacking, and the frustration of not securing a job.
The State Minister added that the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs has been working on suicide prevention since its inception. The Ministry is striving to improve the mental health of teenagers through the 'Kishore Kishori Club' in every union in Bangladesh. Additionally, various government development activities are being disseminated to the public through the Information Apa Project. The government is also working tirelessly to improve mental health through Upazila Health Complexes.
