The Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE), in collaboration with the BRAC Institute of Educational Development (BRAC-IED), organized a national-level consultation titled “Mental Health of Students at the Primary Level: Our Actions” on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) in Dhaka.

The event aimed to share preliminary findings from an opinion survey on the mental health of primary school students and gather feedback from participants. Discussions centred on understanding the nature and types of mental health challenges and trauma faced by students and teachers to develop policy recommendations and improve information dissemination strategies.

The expert panel included Chowdhury Mufad Ahmed, member of the Primary Education Consultation Committee under the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education; Professor M. Nazmul Haque, Director of the Teacher Development Institute; Professor Dr. Mohit Kamal, Senior Chief Consultant (Psychiatry & Psychotherapy) at LabAid Hospital; Dr. Eram Mariam, Executive Director of BRAC-IED; and Shahinur Al Amin, President of the Bangladesh Primary Teachers Association. Two primary school students, Rahima Akter and Saiful Islam, also shared their perspectives. The session was moderated by Rasheda K. Choudhury, Executive Director of CAMPE.

Panellists discussed various issues related to the mental health of primary school students, shedding light on the challenges they face and the actions needed to support mental well-being through educational and recreational activities. The consultation underscored the essential role of stakeholders, including government bodies, in identifying and addressing students’ mental health challenges, understanding trauma, and implementing effective strategies to support mental wellness.

Key recommendations from the consultation included:
 Increasing awareness programs on student mental health
 Addressing social and economic factors impacting mental health
 Creating supportive school environments
 Enhancing communication with guardians and fostering a friendly school atmosphere
 Promoting recreational opportunities for mental well-being
 Establishing counselling facilities in schools
 Strengthening mental health services and training teachers on mental health
 Integrating mental health topics into the curriculum
 Advocating for policy changes to support student mental health

Approximately 200 representatives attended the event, including members of CAMPE’s partner organizations, development experts, media personnel, students, guardians, and teachers, reflecting a unified effort to address the mental health needs of primary school students in Bangladesh.