The University of Dhaka has long recognized that mental well-being is integral to academic and professional success. As one of the leading public universities in South Asia, DU has adopted a proactive and inclusive approach to supporting the mental health of both its students and staff. The university’s mental health ecosystem combines professional counselling, academic expertise, awareness programs, and collaborative initiatives to promote a healthier, more resilient community.
The Office of Student Guidance and Counselling, established in 1963, serves as the central hub for mental health services. It provides free counselling, mental health assessments, and awareness programs for students, teachers, officers, and staff. In 2024, over 1,300 students availed counselling services through the university’s professional network, supported by trained psychologists and student advisors. These services are accessible year-round and actively promoted through orientation programs, hall-based workshops, and awareness campaigns.
The University’s Counselling Centre also maintains an open-door policy for all members of the university family. Counsellors provide personalized sessions addressing emotional distress, relationship issues, and academic anxiety. The centre organizes specialized training on stress management, interpersonal communication, and workplace well-being. In collaboration with hall supervisors and departmental advisors, students are guided toward early psychological support whenever needed.
On October 10, 2024, DU observed World Mental Health Day under the theme “It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace.” The event, organized jointly by the Office of Student Guidance and Counselling and the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, featured day-long activities at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC). Free on-site counselling, mental health screenings, and open discussions were offered to students, faculty, and staff.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan, inaugurated the program and emphasized the importance of supporting students and employees who have experienced emotional strain due to social and academic challenges. The initiative symbolized DU’s commitment to nurturing a supportive environment for all community members, regardless of their role within the institution.
The Department of Clinical Psychology and its affiliated units, including the Nasirullah Psychotherapy Unit (NPU) and the Psychological Assessment Clinic (PAC), play a crucial role in providing structured therapeutic services. In 2024, these units collectively served over 240 clients, offering psychotherapy, neuropsychological assessments, and rehabilitation support.
Moreover, DU’s collaboration between the NPU and the DU Mental Centre provided psychological services to both students and staff. In the same year, eight teachers and staff members received individual psychotherapy and assessments, while postgraduate students contributed as trainee therapists, gaining hands-on clinical experience.
Specialized Clinical Services Provided by DU (Evidence):
The Nasirullah Psychotherapy Unit (NPU) of the Department of Clinical Psychology offers a wide range of specialized mental-health interventions including psychotherapy for trauma, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, child/adolescent behavioural issues, family therapy, cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT), and psychometric assessments.
A complete description of DU’s specialized services is publicly available:
🔗 https://npudu.net/specialized-services/
This publicly verifiable service portfolio positions DU as the only university in Bangladesh operating a full-scale psychotherapy and clinical service ecosystem directly aligned with SDG 3.
In November 2024, DU’s Department of Clinical Psychology, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Clinical Psychology Society (BCPS), launched a special series titled “10 Workshops on Mental Health.” This month-long initiative addressed diverse psychological topics including schizophrenia, dissociation, anxiety management, and workplace mental well-being. It aimed to strengthen the capacity of both professionals and community members in recognizing and managing mental health issues.
Additionally, through international collaborations with Fuyi University and Sogyang-i Science and Technology University, DU extended its technical and academic engagement in promoting cross-border mental health awareness. These partnerships helped build cultural understanding around workplace stress, trauma, and social adaptation.
The University’s postgraduate psychology students undergo extensive clinical placements in hospitals across Bangladesh. In 2024 alone, trainees from the MS, M.Phil, and Ph.D. programs provided psychological and neuropsychiatric assessments, along with psychotherapy, to approximately 4,000 patients. This not only enhanced the students’ practical experience but also expanded the availability of professional mental health services nationwide.
The University of Dhaka’s mental health initiatives go beyond treatment—they embody a philosophy of care, empathy, and preventive well-being. Through dedicated counselling centres, professional departments, and continuous awareness programs, DU ensures that mental health is not treated as a stigma but as a shared institutional responsibility.
By offering free, professional, and accessible mental health services to both students and staff, the university continues to foster a compassionate academic community—one that values emotional balance as much as intellectual achievement.
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