BRAC, in collaboration with the BRAC Institiute of Educational Development (BIED) and ‘Neeramoy’, a digital healthcare platform, has introduced a mental health hotline called ‘Moner Jotno’. This initiative provides free, confidential tele-counselling for individuals — particularly young people and adolescents — experiencing anxiety, panic, or emotional distress. The hotline offers immediate support, creating a safe and welcoming space for callers to share their emotions and experiences, so they no longer have to suffer in silence.

The launch comes at a critical time, as mental health challenges in Bangladesh are on the rise, particularly among young people. A recent study revealed that 73.5 per cent of school-going adolescents in Bangladesh experience symptoms of stress to varying degrees. Barriers such as lack of awareness of mental health symptoms, inadequate knowledge on accessing care, stigma, and anticipated discrimination often result in delays or avoidance in seeking help. According to The Lancet Psychiatry, there is also a severe shortage of mental health professionals in Bangladesh, with fewer than one psychologist available per million people. This significant lack of mental health experts has left over 90 per cent of individuals in need without appropriate treatment, affecting both children and adults.

The ‘Moner Jotno’ hotline is available every day from 12 pm to 2 am, including holidays, and can be accessed by calling 09643262626 or through the Neeramoy Patient app on both Android and iOS platforms. Over 70 trained psychologists and psychosocial counsellors from BRAC are providing the service, ensuring that callers receive professional, empathetic support. Each session lasts around 20 minutes, with the option of a 10-minute extension if the caller’s distress is severe. The service offers a single session per call, focusing on immediate emotional relief without follow-up obligations, while maintaining strict confidentiality throughout.

This initiative forms part of BRAC’s broader ‘Moner Jotno’ campaign to address the growing mental health crisis. In addition to the hotline, the campaign includes community awareness programmes to educate the public on mental health issues and reduce stigma, as well as direct outreach activities targeting vulnerable groups, such as students, providing on-the-ground counselling and support to help them manage stress and trauma.

Through the launch of ‘Moner Jotno’, BRAC seeks to bridge the gap for those unable or hesitant to pursue formal counselling, offering a first step into mental health support — especially for young people and adolescents who may have felt uncertain or apprehensive about reaching out.