In Bangladesh, over 90% of individuals with mental health disorders do not receive treatment due to stigma, misconceptions, and societal pressures, especially in rural areas where 75% of the population lives. Mental illness is often linked to supernatural beliefs, delaying proper treatment. The country faces a severe shortage of mental health professionals, with only about 260 psychiatrists and 700 psychologists, translating to 0.073 professionals per 100,000 people, far below global standards. The mental health budget is less than 0.5% of the national health budget.

According to the WHO and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 17% of adults and 14.7% of children (aged 7-17) suffer from mental health disorders, with rising rates. Suicide remains a significant issue, with a national rate of 9.7 per 100,000 people. Among adolescent girls aged 15-19, suicide is the leading cause of death, accounting for 18.2% of fatalities in this group.