News Flash
DHAKA, Sept 10, 2025 (BSS) – Experts at a discussion here today put emphasis for breaking the silence on suicide and creating an atmosphere for open, compassionate and cooperative discussion.
They said suicide prevention and mental health care should be prioritized in the national policies at discussion held at the Jatiya Press Club here on the World Suicide Prevention Day.
The discussion on “Changing the Narrative of Suicide” and a day-long seminar titled “Let’s Talk about Suicide: How to Handle a Suicidal Patient” was organized by the Brighter Tomorrow Foundation (BTF), a suicide prevention platform.
Access to quality services for all should be ensured and appropriate support should be provided to those in crisis, they added.
Terming suicide as a preventable, Associate Professor at the National Institute of Mental Health Dr. Farzana Rahman said, “Suicide is illegal over 20 countries across the world. Besides, in some countries, Islamic Shariah Law is followed strictly and there are penalties ranging from fines to lifetime imprisonment for attempting suicide.”
Chief of Operations of the Palliative Care Department in City Hospital Dr. Farzana Islam Shampa said the spiritual peace comes through the development of the mind and good thoughts.
“You have to build your identity through your own self-evaluation, not through the perspective of others,” the physician observed.
Md Akbar Hossain, CEO of the professional counseling center 'Briddhi Network', said, “If your friend or classmate becomes suicidal, you should extend a hand of friendship and sympathy without isolating him or her.”
“Many such lives can be saved through proper counseling,” Hossain added.
Taking part in the discussion, BTF President Journalist Jayshree Zaman stressed the need for sufficient funding to prevent suicide.
At the event, award-winning journalist Russell Sarkar was also present with an honorary citation by the BTF for his reporting on suicides.
President of Innerwheel Club of Aarushi Nilufar Ahmed Karim and Vice-President of Innerwheel Club of Lobilia Saida Anis Rakhi, among others, also spoke there.
Every year on September10, different organizations around the world get together to raise awareness about suicide prevention.
