Harmony Trust, in collaboration with Manobik Sahajaya Sangstha (MSS) and supported by Save the Children in Bangladesh, proudly announces the successful completion of the two-month Mental Health Resource Pool Development course by a group of adolescents from the Rayerbazar slums. This model, developed by Harmony Trust over the past five years, adopts a peer-led, community-based approach to promote mental health prevention and early intervention.
The launch event, held on October 14, 2024, brought together esteemed representatives from all partner organizations and the adolescent participants. Harmony Trust was represented by Dr. Muhammad Abdus Sabur, Chairperson, and Dr. Abu Jamil Faisel, Adviser. Save the Children was represented by Md. Omar Faruque, Director, Shishuder Jonno-Integrated Child Development Program, while ManobikSahajyaSangstha was represented by Md. Milon Akhtar, Deputy Program Manager-Health & Nutrition, and Mst. Afsana Khanom, Program Manager-SJ_ICDP.
In the concluding session on 7th December, the participants showcased their readiness to take on the critical role of promoting Yoga, Reflexology, and healthy lifestyles as preventive and early intervention measures. These young leaders are expected to facilitate access to quality Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services for children in their communities and raise awareness about preventive strategies to address mental health challenges in the Rayerbazar slum areas.
The course offered a comprehensive curriculum covering a range of topics, including mental hygiene, Psychological First Aid (PFA), substance abuse awareness, habits for well-being, and life skills tailored for slum adolescents. Additionally, it equipped participants with facilitation skills for Yoga, building respectful relationships, emotional expression, conflict resolution, menstrual hygiene, and addressing factors affecting adolescent mental health.
Using an integrated learning modality, the program combined theoretical discussions and practical demonstrations during in-person sessions, emphasizing experiential learning. Participants engaged in self-application, peer practice, and assignments to solidify their skills. Challenges encountered during these practices were addressed in online follow-up sessions, while supervised community mapping exercises provided valuable real-world application opportunities.
This initiative underscores Harmony Trust’s commitment to fostering adolescent well-being, empowering young individuals as change agents, and promoting mental health awareness within underserved communities. It represents a meaningful step towards building a resilient, mentally healthy future for all.