The Mental Health Awareness among University Students in Bangladesh

Abstract

This paper will discuss the awareness of mental health among University Students in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study examines what influences perceptions and attitudes towards mental health with special attention to cultural, social and institutional barriers that impact the way University Students recognize, explain, and react to issues regarding mental health. The research integrates a mixed-method approach; quantitative and qualitative data are collected. The survey was administered to 50 university students to evaluate their overall knowledge and awareness regarding mental health problems; the in-depth interviews were carried out on 10 participants to have more insight on personal experience, issues, and attitude. The results indicate that there is a big discrepancy between theory and practice of mental health. The barriers to seeking help that have been identified as the main ones are cultural stigma, mental health education, and insufficient access to services. Also, peer influence and social norms were identified as having a strong influence on students willing to talk about mental health publicly. The paper proposes mental health education in university curricula, campaigns to decrease stigma, and easier mental health care. The study results can be useful in understanding the mental health consciousness of University Students in urban Bangladesh and may be used to suggest ways of enhancing mental health policies and initiatives at university level.