Why psychosocial healing is essential for Bangladesh’s future

Illustration: TBS

Bangladesh can be characterised by its remarkable power of resilience. We take pride in the fact that communities recover after floods, families endure poverty, and the country continues progressing despite recurrent political, social, and economic shocks. From disaster response to economic adaptation, resilience has become an integral part of our national identity.

Yet, beneath this narrative lies a silent truth: many individuals carry psychological wounds that remain unattended and are often transmitted across generations. Such wounds do not always manifest visibly. They are not recorded in infrastructure damage assessments or economic growth statistics. Instead, they appear in dysfunctional family dynamics, chronic anxiety, emotional detachment, violence, and silence. Suffering that is continuously experienced without attention or support does not simply disappear. It permeates daily life, shaping how individuals raise children, form relationships, and respond to stress.

Psychologists refer to this as intergenerational trauma. It describes how the emotional and psychological suffering of parents is passed on to children through lived experiences, family interactions, and social environments. Intergenerational trauma is not an abstract or theoretical issue in Bangladesh; it is a lived reality for millions of households.

A present living history

The history of modern Bangladesh is marked by frequent collective shocks. The emotional wounds of the Liberation War, periods of political instability, and forced disappearances were difficult to overcome. Over time, these experiences were compounded by natural disasters, large-scale displacement, industrial tragedies such as garment factory collapses, and, most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic and the July uprising of 2024.

All these events destroyed lives, livelihoods, and a sense of security. Psychological recovery was seldom prioritised, as physical reconstruction and economic recovery often took precedence. For most survivors, there was little space to mourn, reflect, or process what they had experienced.

Parents who had been raised in fear, hunger, or loss learned to be survival-oriented rather than emotionally expressive. Endurance was equated with strength, openness was discouraged, and grief remained a private affair, largely unaddressed. Over time, distress manifested as anger, emotional numbing, hypervigilance, or silence—behaviours that children absorbed at home, often without explanation.

This transmission does not rely on storytelling or deliberate teaching. It occurs through parenting styles, family communication, responses to stress, and community norms. Emotional pain does not simply fade away; it transforms and continues, shaping the emotional reality of the next generation.

Great distance between the want and the need

Nationwide statistics highlight the scale of the problem. According to a survey on mental healthcare in Bangladesh, about one in six adults and more than one in eight children are living with mental illnesses. These figures alone are enough to raise concern. Yet, what is even more alarming is that the vast majority of those in need do not receive care.

The availability of mental health services is both limited and unevenly distributed, with trained professionals and facilities largely concentrated in major cities. For many individuals—particularly those in rural or disaster-affected areas—counseling or psychological services are either unavailable or unaffordable. Public investment in mental health remains very low compared to the scale of need.

As a result, psychological distress often goes unaddressed in professional or community-based support systems and instead becomes a private matter within families. While families can be sources of strength, they can also be environments where distress is silently transmitted.

The consequences of untreated psychological distress in parents are far-reaching. Homes where parents struggle with unresolved mental health issues are often marked by emotional dysregulation, poor relationships, persistent anxiety, and irritability. Children raised in such environments learn from an early age to cope with stress—whether by concealing their emotions or remaining constantly vigilant. These coping mechanisms, developed over time, can become enduring behavioral patterns.

Family stress

Household conditions further contribute to intergenerational trauma. According to national surveys, violence in intimate relationships is persistently prevalent in Bangladesh, leaving many children in environments marked by fear, unpredictability, and instability. Long-term emotional and behavioral problems—such as anxiety, depression, aggression, and withdrawal—are strongly associated with exposure to such conditions.

Even in families where overt violence is absent, chronic stress plays a significant role. Many households face constant pressure from economic constraints, urbanisation, rising living costs, and employment uncertainty. Climate-related stress adds another layer: recurring floods, heatwaves, river erosion, and displacement force families into prolonged periods of survival, leaving little room for emotional recovery.

In these circumstances, parents often become overwhelmed, worn out, and emotionally exhausted. Children, in turn, learn to adapt to tension rather than to safety. Over time, stress becomes normalised, and the absence of emotional security is silently passed down across generations.

Psychosocial support as a common good

The term "psychosocial support" is often misunderstood as a specialised or individualised service meant only for severe mental illness. In reality, it is much broader. It encompasses counseling, social and emotional learning in schools, community support services, trauma-informed healthcare, peer support, and safe spaces for discussion. Essentially, psychosocial support helps individuals and communities cope with stress, develop strategies for resilience, and feel safe and connected.

Studies in public health consistently show that access to psychosocial support improves educational outcomes, reduces violence, increases productivity, and strengthens social cohesion. Children who receive emotional support early in life are more likely to stay in school, form healthy relationships, and contribute positively to their communities. Adults with such support are better able to manage stress, work effectively, and care for their families.

Policy frameworks in Bangladesh, including the Mental Health Act and the National Mental Health Strategic Plan, represent significant milestones. They acknowledge that mental health is a social issue. Yet, translating these policies into accessible services remains a challenge. Psychosocial care is still often treated as auxiliary rather than essential.

A more integrated approach is required. Primary healthcare should incorporate mental health support to ensure assistance is available early and close to home. Schools can serve as centers for social and emotional learning, equipping teachers to detect distress before it becomes critical. Rural, disaster-affected, and marginalised populations—where need is greatest—require community-based services to reach them effectively.

Emotional recovery must also be incorporated into disaster preparedness and recovery efforts. Rebuilding homes and livelihoods without addressing psychological distress leaves communities vulnerable to long-term harm. Public awareness is equally important. Reducing stigma and promoting help-seeking behavior can shift the perception of psychological distress from a personal weakness to a health issue, allowing individuals to seek support comfortably.

Looking ahead

The future of Bangladesh depends not only on economic, infrastructural, and technological development but also on the emotional well-being of its population. Intergenerational trauma can be prevented. The underlying needs that cause it can be addressed.

Through early and inclusive psychosocial support, distress can be identified, contained, and prevented from becoming a long-term legacy. Investing in psychosocial support today strengthens future generations, promotes stability, and enhances well-being.

As the nation continues to confront social, economic, and environmental challenges, maximising healing alongside development presents a vital opportunity. A country that prioritises the emotional recovery of its citizens lays a stronger foundation for a resilient and prosperous future.

Sketch: TBS

Murad Ansary is a clinical psychologist and Founder and CEO of Psycure Organization.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.