EBL and Moner Bondhu partner to launch mental wellness

Business Desk :

Eastern Bank PLC (EBL) has partnered with Moner Bondhu to implement a comprehensive mental health and life skills development program for 5,000 students across 10 schools in remote and underserved rural communities of Bangladesh.

The partnership was formalized at a ceremony held recently at EBL’s head office in Dhaka, where Ahmed Shaheen, Additional Managing Director of EBL, handed over a cheque for the program to Tawhida Shiropa, Founder and CEO of Moner Bondhu.

The initiative aims to address the growing mental health and social challenges faced by adolescents, including emotional distress, school dropout, early marriage, abuse, and limited access to future opportunities.

Through a holistic, school-based intervention, the program seeks to strengthen emotional resilience, promote inclusive education, and equip students with essential life skills for dignified livelihood pathways.

The project will integrate professional mental health and counseling services with inclusive education support, child protection awareness, life skills development, and employability- focused training.

These combined interventions are expected to enhance students’ overall well-being, improve school retention, increase personal safety, and better prepare young people for future employment.

Speaking at the event, Ahmed Shaheen, Additional Managing Director of EBL, said, “We believe that investing in the mental well-being and life skills of young people is essential for the sustainable development of our nation.

Adolescents in underserved communities face unique and pressing challenges, and through this initiative, we are committed to providing the psychosocial support and skills training they need to thrive. This program is about building resilience and creating opportunities for brighter futures.”