Dhaka University (DU) held a day-long mental health exhibition and counselling programme on Sunday, marking the “World Mental Health Day.”

A seminar was also held where the panellists called for professional recognition of clinical social workers and better coordination in mental healthcare.

Speakers stressed that effective services require professionals to address not only medical needs but also the psychological, family and social circumstances of individuals.

The seminar, titled “Lived Experiences to Meaningful Change: Promoting Clinical Social Work Practice in Mental Health”, was organised by the Clinical Social Workers Association of Bangladesh (CSWAB) at the Alumni Floor of the university’s Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building.

Social Welfare Minister Prof AZM Zahid Hossain attended as the chief guest, while State Minister for Health and Family Welfare MA Muhith, DU Vice-Chancellor Prof ABM Obaidul Islam and other dignitaries attended as special guests.

Prof Tahmina Akhtar, president of CSWAB and vice-chancellor of Rabindra University, Bangladesh, chaired the seminar and presented the keynote paper.

Speaking at the event, Prof Zahid Hossain said law enforcement and the judicial system alone could not resolve social problems. Changing social attitudes, expanding mental health services and ensuring regular follow-up were equally important.

Citing child marriage as an example, he said prevention requires changes in the social attitudes behind any ill practice alongside enforcement of the law. He also stressed the need to investigate the familial, social and psychological causes of adverse mental health-related incidents to prevent their recurrence.

The minister called for a psychosocial approach to mental healthcare, urging psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and clinical social workers to work together. He also emphasised updated curricula, professional training and appropriate consideration of social work and social welfare qualifications when recruiting social service officers.

State Minister MA Muhith said biological, psychological, social and environmental factors were closely connected to mental health. He called for a bio-psycho-social approach and coordinated initiatives involving the ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Social Welfare, and Women and Children Affairs.

DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Obaidul Islam said mental health was integral to overall well-being, affecting education, employment, family relationships and social participation. He stressed that healthcare policies must reflect service users’ experiences, needs and expectations.

Listening to people experiencing psychological distress and understanding barriers to accessing support would help make services more effective, accessible and humane, he said. He also called for greater investment in clinical social work education, research, practical training and professional recognition.

Prof Obaidul Islam said mental health problems could be linked to family tensions, financial uncertainty and social adversity. He urged relevant institutions to expand internship opportunities and ensure ethical standards and the rights of service users.