The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The World Mental Health Day will be observed across the country like elsewhere in the world in a befitting manner.

The day was first observed in 1992 as an annual activity of the World Federation for Mental Health initiated by its the then Deputy Secretary General Richard Hunter. The day is officially commemorated every year on October 10th.

The Mental Health Foundation celebrates World Mental Health Day each year, using it as an opportunity to communicate with the general public about mental health issues.

The theme of the day of this year is "Making mental health a global priority - Scaling up services through citizen advocacy and action".

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed gave separate messages on the eve of the day. In his message, Professor Iajuddin said, besides the physical health, the mental health of the people is also important. Sound health and sound mind is the key elements for innovative works, he said adding, "I think it is needed to create mass awareness about improvement of the mental health of the people of the country."

The theme of the day of the year is very much befitting, Professor Iajuddin said and expected that the government and private organisations would work relentlessly in upholding mental health rights of the people.

He wished success of the day.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in his message said, the theme of the day for the year is the demand of the time considering the importance of the mental health.

It is time to realize that without sound mental health, it is not possible to attain the progress of the nation, the Chief Adviser said.

He expected that the mental health issue would get due importance with the joint efforts of the government and private organisations engaged in providing mental health services. "The traditional wrong ideas of mental health would be removed and we would be able to build a sound society free from deprivation," he expected and wished success of the day.