Facebook Partners with Bangladeshi Mental Health Organisations

In order to provide support and raise awareness among local people about mental health, Facebook has partnered with several Bangladeshi mental health organisations.

The organisations are the Moner Bondhu and Kaan Pete Roi National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital, which are already offering guidance on suicide, depression, anxiety, panic attacks and other related issues, a press release said.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has forced people to deal with isolation and navigate feelings of loss," said Karuna Nain, Director of Global Safety Policy at Facebook. "We want people to know that they are not alone by connecting them with organizations and experts who are there to listen and help."

Facebook partners with leading mental well-being experts around the world, seeking their guidance to create and change products and processes. In Bangladesh, the organisation has collaborated to advise and develop policies and practices with leading non-profits such as the Shuchona Foundation and Moner Bondhu.

"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 are 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."

The Community Standards of Facebook cover suicide and self-injury policies. A number of initiatives have been launched to link people around the world to mental health services, particularly as a consequence of the pandemic and its effect on health and mental well-being.