[17 May 2024, Dhaka] Kaan Pete Roi, the first emotional support and suicide prevention helpline in Bangladesh (available at 09612-119911, 3pm – 3am every day), presented a policy brief at the BRAC Center Inn entitled, “Ten Years of Suicide Prevention through Kaan Pete Roi,” combining findings from a decade’s worth of experience and national and international research on suicide prevention. At the event, Dr. Yeshim Iqbal as founder of Kaan Pete Roi presented a policy brief history of the organization’s journey so far, followed by an expert panel discussion on the importance of the suicide prevention helpline in the context of Bangladesh.
Minister of State for Women and Children Affairs of Bangladesh Simeen Hussain Rimi attended the event as chief guest, and Zahida Fizza Kabir, CEO of SAJIDA Foundation, Professor Dr. Mohammad Robed Amin, Line Director of NCDC DGHS, and Professor Dr. Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Author and Educationalist attended as Special Guests.
Current knowledge from data from Kaan Pete Roi, the importance of incorporating the helpline into a National Health Strategy for suicide prevention, the gaps and challenges of suicide prevention services, the importance of phone-based services in the context of Bangladesh, and funding mental health for large-scale awareness were discussed in the event. The data presented by their team shows that out of approximately 55,000 calls, 25% were suicidal, and 25% were after midnight. Most of the callers were 20 to 39 years old.
Simeen Hussain Rimi, Minister of State for Women and Children Affairs of Bangladesh remarked “Suicide is deeply related to mental health. Mental health issues lead to suicide, and it is a complicated social problem in our country.” She related experiences from her knowledge of challenges faced by new and young mothers and the urgent need for compassionate services such as Kaan Pete Roi to support their mental health. Professor Dr. Mohammad Robed Amin, Line Director of NCDC DGHS, Dhaka emphasized the importance of helpline quality control and remarked, “Suicide should be addressed as a public health concern rather than treated as a criminal offense. Globally, suicide prevention helplines play a significant role in suicide prevention, therefore organizations like Kaan Pete Roi contributed with excellence in this sector” Dr. Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Professor and Author stated “Kaan Pete Roi has trained more than 700 volunteers, and this manpower is an immense contribution to the nation This activity by Kaan Pete Roi, must be expanded to reach every corner of the nation, so that volunteers can join from all over the country.” Zahida Fizza Kabir, CEO of SAJIDA Foundation said “SAJIDA Foundation joined Kaan Pete Roi (KPR) intending to promote volunteerism throughout Bangladesh. Achieving this goal will be extremely challenging if the mental health sector relies solely on mental health professionals; therefore, the involvement of highly trained paraprofessionals is essential. Kaan Pete Roi has made significant efforts in training paraprofessionals. SAJIDA Foundation is mandated to ensure mental health simultaneously with physical health in every sector.”
Notable attendees included Dr. Muzharul Mannan, Chairman of Shuchona Foundation, Dr. Maruf Ahmed Khan, Deputy Program Manager of NCDC, DGHS, Dhaka, Dr. Helal Uddin Ahmed, Associate Professor, Child Adolescent and Family Psychiatry of National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Dr. Erum Mariam, Executive Director of BRAC IED, Dr. Mahjabeen Haque, Professor Department of Educational and counseling Psychology, University of Dhaka, Dr. Muhammad Kamruzzaman Mozumder, Professor Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Dhaka, Ismat Jahan Nipa, Head of National Trauma Counseling Centre, Multi-sectoral Programme on Violence against Women, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Dr. Yasir Arafat, Associate Consultant, Department of Psychiatry, Bangladesh Specialized Hospital PLC, Abdullah Al Harun, Program Manager – Community, ADD Bangladesh, Monira Rahman, Executive Director of Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation(IWF) Rubina Jahan, Head of Programme, Mental Health, SAJIDA Foundation, Dr. Ashique Selim, Lead Psychiatrist and Managing Director, Psychological Health and Wellness Clinic (PHWC), Disha Sonata Faruque, International Organization for Migration.
About Kaan Pete Roi
Kaan Pete Roi is the first-ever emotional support and suicide prevention helpline in Bangladesh, staffed by trained volunteers, where people can call to receive immediate emergency emotional support. This service is completely free of charge. The mission of this helpline is to alleviate feelings of despair, isolation, distress, and suicidal feelings. Kaan Pete Roi accomplishes this through confidential, compassionate, and open-minded listening.
Kaan Pete Roi helpline number is 09612-119911 and is open daily from 3:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
