According to Bangladesh's National Mental Health Strategic Plan, the overall estimated average rate of suicide in Bangladesh is 6 per 100 000 every year. Like other mental health issues, as suicide is stigmatised, suicide deaths are often hidden by the family. In rural areas, adolescent females are most vulnerable to commit suicide.

Considering this discourse, SAJIDA Foundation was invited to participate in the South East Asia Regional Meeting to discuss suicide prevention. Ms. Rubina Jahan, Head of Mental Health Programme represented SAJIDA and Bangladesh on this international platform. She presented an overview of the situation in Bangladesh and three key challenges that needs to be addressed in reducing suicide.

Partnerships for Life (PfL), an initiative of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) organised a meeting in Goa from 23rd to 25th February 2024. The objective of the meeting was to discuss suicide prevention in South East Asia, to understand the landscape in each country, and explore opportunities for collaboration. Participants shared an overview of the situation in their respective country, highlighting three key challenges in suicide prevention.

Representatives from 8 countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka—attended the event.