Mental health disorders affect millions of people worldwide, yet they remain one of the most misunderstood aspects of human health. Too often, these conditions are stigmatised or dismissed as curses, leading to discrimination, neglect, and a lack of proper care. Such perceptions not only harm individuals but also hinder societal progress. The time has come to address this stigma and view mental health with the same importance as physical well-being. Neglecting mental health carries dire consequences. Individuals who suffer from untreated mental disorders often experience declining physical health, as chronic stress exacerbates conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Social isolation is another significant outcome, as stigma prevents people from seeking help, leaving them alienated and hopeless. This neglect also contributes to the high global suicide rate, with nearly 800,000 deaths annually, many of which could have been prevented with timely intervention. In Bangladesh, suicide remains a pressing issue, with a rate of 7.8 per 100,000 people. Beyond the personal toll, the neglect of mental health imposes significant societal and economic burdens, including reduced workplace productivity, increased crime, and strained family dynamics. One of the greatest barriers to addressing mental health issues is the persistence of cultural myths and superstitions. In many parts of South Asia, mental illnesses are still viewed as spiritual punishments or signs of moral failure. People often turn to traditional healers instead of seeking professional care, resulting in harmful practices that delay recovery or worsen the condition. Education and awareness campaigns are essential to dismantle these harmful beliefs and encourage communities to embrace evidence-based solutions. Research and policy advancements provide a glimmer of hope. Globally, initiatives like the Lancet Commission on Mental Health in 2023 have called for increased funding, integration of mental health into primary healthcare, and the use of community-based care models. In Bangladesh, the enactment of the Mental Health Act, 2018, marked a significant step forward. This legislation guarantees the rights of individuals with mental disorders, prohibits discrimination, and mandates the establishment of mental health facilities. Sections of the act specifically criminalise inhumane treatment and promote the dignity of those affected. However, gaps in implementation, resource allocation, and workforce availability continue to pose challenges. Technology offers new opportunities to bridge these gaps. Digital platforms like Moner Bondhu are expanding access to counselling services, particularly for rural and underserved populations. Telemedicine and artificial intelligence-powered tools can also provide preliminary assessments and guidance, ensuring that help reaches those who need it most. Addressing mental health requires a multifaceted approach. Family and community support are crucial in breaking the silence and encouraging affected individuals to seek help. Schools and workplaces must also play their part by promoting mental health awareness and creating inclusive environments. Governments must prioritise mental health in national budgets, increase the number of trained professionals, and ensure that laws protecting mental health rights are effectively enforced. Mental health disorders are not curses or weaknesses; they are health conditions that demand understanding, compassion, and action. By normalising conversations around mental health and dismantling the stigma, we can create a world where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength rather than shame. Mental health is a shared responsibility, and addressing it is essential for building a healthier, more inclusive society. The writer is from the Department of Law at the World University of Bangladesh. Email: [email protected] Mental health disorders affect millions of people worldwide, yet they remain one of the most misunderstood aspects of human health. Too often, these conditions are stigmatised or dismissed as curses, leading to discrimination, neglect, and a lack of proper care. Such perceptions not only harm individuals but also hinder societal progress. The time has come to address this stigma and view mental health with the same importance as physical well-being. Neglecting mental health carries dire consequences. Individuals who suffer from untreated mental disorders often experience declining physical health, as chronic stress exacerbates conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Social isolation is another significant outcome, as stigma prevents people from seeking help, leaving them alienated and hopeless. This neglect also contributes to the high global suicide rate, with nearly 800,000 deaths annually, many of which could have been prevented with timely intervention. In Bangladesh, suicide remains a pressing issue, with a rate of 7.8 per 100,000 people. Beyond the personal toll, the neglect of mental health imposes significant societal and economic burdens, including reduced workplace productivity, increased crime, and strained family dynamics. One of the greatest barriers to addressing mental health issues is the persistence of cultural myths and superstitions. In many parts of South Asia, mental illnesses are still viewed as spiritual punishments or signs of moral failure. People often turn to traditional healers instead of seeking professional care, resulting in harmful practices that delay recovery or worsen the condition. Education and awareness campaigns are essential to dismantle these harmful beliefs and encourage communities to embrace evidence-based solutions. Research and policy advancements provide a glimmer of hope. Globally, initiatives like the Lancet Commission on Mental Health in 2023 have called for increased funding, integration of mental health into primary healthcare, and the use of community-based care models. In Bangladesh, the enactment of the Mental Health Act, 2018, marked a significant step forward. This legislation guarantees the rights of individuals with mental disorders, prohibits discrimination, and mandates the establishment of mental health facilities. Sections of the act specifically criminalise inhumane treatment and promote the dignity of those affected. However, gaps in implementation, resource allocation, and workforce availability continue to pose challenges. Technology offers new opportunities to bridge these gaps. Digital platforms like Moner Bondhu are expanding access to counselling services, particularly for rural and underserved populations. Telemedicine and artificial intelligence-powered tools can also provide preliminary assessments and guidance, ensuring that help reaches those who need it most. Addressing mental health requires a multifaceted approach. Family and community support are crucial in breaking the silence and encouraging affected individuals to seek help. Schools and workplaces must also play their part by promoting mental health awareness and creating inclusive environments. Governments must prioritise mental health in national budgets, increase the number of trained professionals, and ensure that laws protecting mental health rights are effectively enforced. Mental health disorders are not curses or weaknesses; they are health conditions that demand understanding, compassion, and action. By normalising conversations around mental health and dismantling the stigma, we can create a world where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength rather than shame. Mental health is a shared responsibility, and addressing it is essential for building a healthier, more inclusive society. The writer is from the Department of Law at the World University of Bangladesh. Email: [email protected]
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VICTORIA - The B.C. Prosecution Service says it will continue to pursue charges under the Motor Vehicle Act against the driver allegedly involved in a crash that killed a university student and hurt two others in Kamloops, B.C., in November 2023. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * VICTORIA - The B.C. Prosecution Service says it will continue to pursue charges under the Motor Vehicle Act against the driver allegedly involved in a crash that killed a university student and hurt two others in Kamloops, B.C., in November 2023. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? VICTORIA – The B.C. Prosecution Service says it will continue to pursue charges under the Motor Vehicle Act against the driver allegedly involved in a crash that killed a university student and hurt two others in Kamloops, B.C., in November 2023. The service says it conducted a senior-level review of the charge assessment and the evidence supports two charges of driving without due care and attention and driving without reasonable consideration for others, instead of criminal charges. It says in a statement that the evidence does not support proceeding with Criminal Code charges under the service’s charge assessment standard. The collision happened at an intersection near the Thompson Rivers University campus, where RCMP said a pickup truck hit several small trees before striking a Volkswagen stopped at a red light, triggering crashes with four other vehicles. The three people in the Volkswagen, all in their 20s, were taken to hospital, where one of them died and the others were treated for serious injuries. Thompson Rivers’ athletic director, Curtis Atkinson, later identified the young man who died as a member of the university’s volleyball team. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. In its statement issued Friday, the B.C. Prosecution Service says the circumstances of the case are “tragic,” as one young man lost his life and two others were “catastrophically injured.” “It would not serve the justice system, the victims, nor the public for the Crown to pursue charges that are not supported by the available evidence.” The statement says only a portion of the evidence has made its way into the public domain, and “the facts reported in the media and shared publicly are too incomplete and present only a partial picture of what had to be considered.” — with files from CHNL This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2024. Advertisement AdvertisementOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Ryan Kalkbrenner scored 23 points as Creighton beat Villanova 86-79 on Saturday night. Kalkbrenner had five rebounds for the Bluejays (8-5, 1-1 Big East Conference). Neal Jamiya added 20 points while going 7 of 11 (6 for 7 from 3-point range) while they also had six assists. Steven Ashworth shot 6 for 11 (3 for 5 from 3-point range) and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line to finish with 20 points, while adding 11 assists. The Wildcats (8-5, 1-1) were led in scoring by Eric Dixon, who finished with 27 points. Wooga Poplar added 19 points and 10 rebounds for Villanova. Jhamir Brickus finished with 16 points and four assists. The loss ended a five-game winning streak for the Wildcats. Creighton took the lead with 16:12 to go in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 40-38 at halftime, with Kalkbrenner racking up 10 points. Creighton turned a three-point second-half lead into a 10-point advantage with a 7-0 run to make it a 56-46 lead with 14:40 left in the half. Neal scored 14 second-half points in the victory. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
PM orders strict action against tax defaulters PM Shehbaz says that ongoing measures for FBR’s digitization would bring billions in benefits to national treasury Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif gestures as he speaks in a meeting. — PID/File LAHORE: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to bring tax defaulters into the tax net and take strict action against non-compliance. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); He made these remarks while presiding over a crucial review meeting on strategies to enhance revenue collection on Saturday. During the meeting, officials briefed the prime minister on the installation and monitoring of video analytics in the sugar industry. Highlighting the importance of technology, the prime minister said, “Improving the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) performance through technology is the government’s top priority.” He emphasized that the use of video analytics in the sugar industry would significantly improve revenue collection, eliminate hoarding and help stabilize prices. “Our utmost effort is to ensure the availability of sugar at affordable prices for the public,” he stated, directing regular monitoring of sugar stocks to maintain an uninterrupted supply chain. The prime minister also ordered stringent and indiscriminate action against tax evasion and under-reporting by sugar mills. He underscored that ongoing measures for FBR’s digitization would bring billions of rupees in benefits to the national treasury. Additionally, the prime minister instructed the swift completion of FBR’s value chain digitization and called for rapid implementation of video analytics in cement and tobacco industries. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State for Finance Ali Pervaiz Malik, and senior government officials. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the non-implementation of recommendations of the inquiry committee on the death of Pakistanis in the boat incident in Greece in 2023. An inquiry has been ordered in the context of the recent boat sinking incident in Greece. The prime minister has directed the three-member committee to review the implementation of recommendations of the inquiry committee set up in June 2023 and determine the responsibility of officers who did not implement it. Chairman Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism (AML & CFT) Authority and former IG Police Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhira has been appointed as the chairman of the inquiry committee. The members include DG Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Destruction Authority Ehsan Ghani and Director (NCB-Interpol) FIA Malik Sikandar Hayat. The Prime Minister’s Office has also issued the Terms of Reference of the inquiry. Meanwhile, the prime minister has constituted an 8-member committee under the chairmanship of Rana Sanaullah, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Inter-Departmental Liaison Division, on the issue of implementation of tax regime for the newly merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Other members of the committee include Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Engineer Amir Muqam, Minister of State for Finance Ali Parwez Malik, FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langriyal, Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, representative of Pakistan Association of Large Steel Production, representative of Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturing Association and former president KPCCI Zahidullah Khan Shinwari.KUWAIT: Sabah Al-Ahmad Urology Centre has successfully conducted the first remote robotic radical prostatectomy surgery in the Middle East, using the MicroPort Medbot Toumai surgical robotic system to treat a Kuwaiti patient diagnosed with prostate cancer. This makes Kuwait one of the first countries globally to perform such a procedure using technology from MicroPort, a multinational medical technology developer and manufacturer that is primarily headquartered in Shanghai, China. Dr Saad Al-Dosari, the center’s director who performed the surgery remotely from China, said in a phone interview with Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the procedure adds a remarkable achievement to Kuwait’s healthcare sector. It represents a significant medical milestone in the Middle East at a time when the healthcare system continues to advance in robotic surgeries. Al-Dosari highlighted the unique aspect of the surgery, noting that the patient was approximately 7,000 kilometers away, and the operation was conducted as if the surgical team were physically present in Kuwait. He explained that robotic surgeries had been introduced at the center in 2014, but this remote surgery, known as Telesurgery, is a first for both the Arabian Gulf and the broader Middle East. He emphasized that patient safety is the top priority. A full medical team, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses, was present in the operating room in Kuwait to intervene if necessary. Despite the distance, the surgery was performed with high precision as though the surgical team was right next to the patient. Al-Dosari also noted the significance of remote robotic surgeries in enabling the exchange of expertise, performing complex surgeries in collaboration with global centers, and training national medical staff in robotic surgery techniques from any location. He attributed the achievement to the guidance of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, emphasizing that this development positions Kuwait among countries leading in adopting the latest advancements in surgical technology. Al-Dosari expressed his sincere gratitude to Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi for his unwavering support of such cutting-edge technologies, which represent a major leap forward in healthcare technology. — KUNA