State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr M A Muhit, spoke as the chief guest at a seminar held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU). Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Sept 9, 2026 (BSS) - A project has been taken to expand mental health services to the upazila level, said State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. M A Muhit today.

He said this while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled "From Silence to Action: A Call to Change Perspectives on Youth Suicide", organised by Aanchal Foundation and Human Rights Development Centre (HRDC) at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in city's Segunbagicha area.

"The absence of mental health services at the grassroots and upazila levels across the country is a major shortcoming," the state minister said.

To address the crisis at the grassroots, the government has undertaken a special project titled "Community Mental Health", he added.

Under the project, people will receive services through an integrated referral system coordinated with the upazila and district levels, along with tele-counselling, he said.

Dr. Muhit said mental health awareness campaigns to prevent suicide should become a social movement, not just publicity activities.

He said the movement should be promoted positively and used to improve public welfare.

At the same time, every citizen should be made aware of mental health so that they can play a role in ensuring not only their own mental wellbeing but also that of others, he continued.

Regarding preparations to tackle the country's dengue situation, the state minister said the peak period of dengue infections in the country may come from late September to early October.

To deal with the situation, the government is going to launch a three-month special dengue awareness campaign, Muhit said.

Under the campaign, people from different walks of life, including voluntary organisations, as well as the common people, will be involved in carrying out joint activities to prevent dengue, he added.

HRDC Chief Executive Mahbubul Haque chaired the seminar.