Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged the nation to guarantee mental healthcare for every citizen, stressing the imperative to eradicate social stigma and discrimination while broadening the reach of mental health services nationwide.

In a message released on the eve of World Mental Health Day 2026 on Friday, scheduled for observance on Saturday, the Prime Minister highlighted that psychological well-being is inextricably tied to human dignity, family harmony, societal strength, and the overall prosperity of the nation.

Referring to this year's central theme—'Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change'—the Prime Minister noted that it underscores the necessity of hearing the personal accounts, emotions, and perspectives of individuals navigating mental health conditions.

He emphasized that unified action is essential to dismantle the fear, shame, superstition, and bias associated with mental illnesses.

The Prime Minister stated that the administration is actively working to decentralize mental health facilities down to the upazila and union tiers, train specialized healthcare personnel, fortify referral networks, and deploy technology-driven counseling support.

He observed that a significant segment of the population in Bangladesh continues to be denied appropriate medical care and support owing to social prejudice, deficient awareness, restricted service availability, and a deficit of qualified practitioners.

Additionally, PM Tarique Rahman highlighted the critical necessity of prioritizing mental healthcare for expectant mothers, children, and teenagers, along with integrating psychological support frameworks within educational institutions.

He called upon medical practitioners, families, academic institutions, mass media, and the wider community to join forces in cultivating awareness so that no individual feels embarrassed or reluctant to access mental health assistance.

Concluding his message, he voiced optimism that these collaborative endeavors will lay the foundation for a compassionate, welfare-oriented, and secure Bangladesh, enabling every citizen to live a healthy and dignified life.