BRAC launches mental health hotline ‘Moner Jotno’
The Moner Jotno hotline is available at 09643262626 and through the Neeramoy Patient app on Android and iOS platforms
BRAC, in partnership with the BRAC Institute of Educational Development (BIED) and digital healthcare platform Neeramoy, has launched a mental health hotline called “Moner Jotno.”
The hotline provides free, confidential tele-counselling to support individuals—especially young people and adolescents—experiencing anxiety, panic, or emotional distress, reads a press release.
The service, accessible daily from 12pm to 2am, aims to address mental health challenges that are increasingly common among Bangladesh’s youth.
A recent study showed that 73.5% of school-going adolescents in the country report symptoms of stress to varying extents. Many delay seeking help due to stigma, lack of awareness, and limited access to mental health professionals.
According to The Lancet Psychiatry, Bangladesh has fewer than one psychologist per million people, resulting in over 90% of individuals needing mental health support remaining untreated.
The Moner Jotno hotline is available at 09643262626 and through the Neeramoy Patient app on Android and iOS platforms.
A team of more than 70 trained psychologists and counsellors from BRAC delivers immediate, empathetic support to callers, offering a safe space to share their feelings.
Each session lasts about 20 minutes, with a 10-minute extension available in severe cases, ensuring a focused session without follow-up obligations and strict confidentiality.
This initiative forms part of BRAC’s wider Moner Jotno campaign, aimed at countering the mental health crisis in Bangladesh.
Besides the hotline, BRAC’s campaign includes community awareness programmes to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and direct outreach initiatives targeting vulnerable groups.
On-the-ground counselling and support are also provided to help individuals, particularly students, manage stress and trauma.
“Moner Jotno seeks to bridge the gap for those unable or hesitant to access formal counselling,” said a BRAC representative, highlighting that the hotline offers a first step for young people who might feel apprehensive about seeking help.
Through this campaign, BRAC aims to foster a supportive environment for mental health, empowering individuals to address their emotional well-being.
Source: The Business Standard | 13 November 2024
