The first episode of 'Healing Together,' a mental health session organised by the Economics Career Alliance (ECA), was held at the Department of Economics, Dhaka University (DU), on 10 January. Renowned psychiatrist Dr Helal Uddin Ahmed MBBS, MD (Psychiatry), Associate Professor of Child, Adolescent, and Family Psychiatry National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), was the event's chief guest.
Dr Sayema Haque Bidisha, Professor of the Department of Economics, was the chair speaker. Shadman Sakib Zahin, the President of ECA, started the session by introducing the guests, and Fattahia Shafihun Nafim, a coordinator of ECA, presided forward.
Earlier, there was a box and arrangement of google forms to collect stories, traumas, problems, and questions from the students if they thought to share anonymously. The collected messages were combined and handed over to each of the speakers.
Initially, Dr Helal responded and talked about those messages one by one. Participants also raised some relevant questions.
Dr Helal emphasised that reaching out is very important if someone feels pressured. He added that taking care of the mind, thanking oneself, and getting quality sleep at night increase self-esteem. He remarked that recalling good memories and achievements also helps to improve while having a mental breakdown.
Lastly, Dr Helal emphasised actualisation as the ultimate target of life. He also urged having someone as a mentor in life, but not as a director.
A question-answer session where the floor was open to all the participants to express their views and inquiry followed the session. Dr Helal empathised with the participants by sharing some of his personal experiences.
Economics Career Alliance (ECA) is a student organisation DU Economics department, working to prepare young, talented minds better to excel in both personal and professional life.
