Sharif Md Sadat
After a continuous 12-month process of planning, training, outreach, and community engagement, a youth-led mental health initiative titled “Mind Matters” has successfully concluded its first full cycle of activities, reaching students, young people, and community members through awareness sessions, interactive workshops, and support-oriented programs.
The initiative was designed to promote mental health literacy, early awareness, and peer-based support, with a strong focus on youth engagement. Organizers emphasized that young people are often more receptive to messages delivered by peers or near-peer role models, as they feel more relatable and approachable, similar to older siblings or cousins. This relatability helped create safe spaces for open discussion around stress, anxiety, emotional wellbeing, and help-seeking behavior.
Over the past year, the program conducted multiple on-site and community-based activities including school sessions, youth dialogues, small group discussions, and practical workshops on emotional resilience and coping skills. The approach focused on simple language, real-life examples, and interactive participation rather than lecture-style delivery.
The activity received institutional and community support from several partners, including Bangladesh Medical College and Hospital doctors, Bangladesh Medical Students Society, We For Us, Basabo Youth Club, and Modern Herbal Group, along with other local stakeholders and volunteers.
Contributors noted that the long preparation period allowed the team to adapt materials to local cultural context, test engagement methods, and build trust with participating communities. Instead of one-time awareness talks, the program followed a phased model that included baseline assessment, capacity building of youth facilitators, repeated engagement, and follow-up activities.
Health professionals involved in the program highlighted that youth-driven mental health education can reduce stigma and encourage earlier conversations about emotional struggles. By using peer voices and community platforms, the initiative aimed to normalize mental health discussions and connect participants with appropriate support channels when needed.
Following the completion of this first year-long cycle, organizers are exploring options to expand Mind Matters into additional communities with a strengthened training model and broader stakeholder collaboration.
Sharif Mohammad Sadat is a medical student from Bangladesh currently serving as the Regional Director for Asia Pacific at the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA), a member of the WHO Youth Council. A passionate global health advocate, Sadat is dedicated to promoting sustainable health practices and ensuring health for all. His initiatives focus on making healthcare accessible and equitable, particularly for marginalized communities. He has a strong interest in One Health, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. His efforts aim to merge social growth with medical knowledge, contributing to a healthier and more equitable society.