ARC Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Centre and mental health organisation Monokern jointly organised a daylong workshop, training programme and mental health exhibition to mark World Mental Health Day at the ARC Complex Hall Auditorium in West Shikarpur Nur Market.
The event was held under the theme “Lived Experience Heard, Real Voice, Real Change”, highlighting the importance of listening to people with firsthand experience of mental health challenges to bring about meaningful social change.
Dr Shoaib Munna, medical consultant at ARC, chaired the programme. Professor Dr Afzal Hossain and Professor Dr Shahinur Rahman of the Department of Psychology at the University of Chittagong attended as special discussants and spoke about mental health awareness and different aspects of rehabilitation.
Jannatul Nayeem Akhi of Monokern read out the event's theme at the opening, while Rakibul Azam, centre manager of ARC, delivered the welcome address.
The discussion and workshop sessions were moderated by Didarul Alam, programme manager of ARC Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Centre, and Dewan Noshin Nawwar on behalf of Monokern.
The speakers emphasised the need to overcome social stigma, misconceptions and lack of awareness surrounding mental health. They said listening to the lived experiences and authentic voices of affected people was essential to fostering understanding and bringing lasting positive changes to society.
They expressed hope that initiatives by ARC and Monokern would help guide young people towards better mental health awareness and contribute to building a drug-free society.
More than 100 trainees from Chattogram Government College, Government City College, the University of Chittagong and Monokern participated in the daylong programme.
The training sessions focused on mental health awareness, stress management and developing a positive, practical outlook on life. Dr Afzal Hossain conducted the stress management workshop, while Dr Shahinur Rahman led the laughter therapy session.
Certificates and commemorative crests were presented to more than 100 participants upon successful completion of the training programme.
An exhibition featuring stalls run by social and voluntary organisations working in mental health and rehabilitation was another major attraction of the event. A mental game show organised by Monokern also drew attention.
Professor M Masudul Alam, dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences at the University of Chittagong, inaugurated the stall exhibition and mental game show. In his remarks, he praised ARC and Monokern for their initiatives to raise public awareness of mental health.
ARC founder Parvez Ahmed presented a commemorative crest to the chief guest on behalf of the organisation.
