Many people do not seek the mental health care, support, and treatment they need due to a lack of access to services, as well as the stigma and discrimination associated with seeking help.
In Bangladesh, mental health service centers including Moner Bari, Moner Janala, Ektu Golpo Kori - established at the district and sub-district level in Jashore, Chapainawabganj and Sylhet district - are at the forefront of making mental health services more accessible at the primary care level.
The centers provide a range of mental health services, including individual and group counselling, psychoeducation, pharmacological and psychosocial management support, as well as referrals for the treatment of mental, neurological and substance use conditions.
Photo by Md Abdul Kader: Moner Bari, a mental health service centre
The doctors from these facilities received training from the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP), which provides comprehensive training packages on mental health conditions for non-specialist health care professionals, allowing them to support people with mental, neurological and substance use conditions.
These centres are open to all residents and non-residents of that area and are an excellent example of integrating mental health services into the primary health care system. The services are committed to providing high-quality, affordable mental health care to all people in the district.
Photo by Dipankar Das: Moner Bari, a mental health service centre
At present, 19 centers have been established in Bangladesh with over 7000 people accessing their services to date.
Given the vast treatment gap that exists in Bangladesh (the difference between the number of people who need care and those who receive care) these centres are an important step in scaling up access to quality care and treatment, as well as ensuring more people are encouraged to reach out for support.
