Ms Sadek is a 50-year-old school teacher who’s been married for 22 years; she and her husband live in Puran Dhaka with their two daughters. Ms Sadek, an inherently caring person, often felt invalidated by her in-laws and husband imminently leading to her depression. She would often be restless in trying to keep the negative thoughts out. Health issues, her husband’s absence and concerns of the ongoing pandemic only added to her worries. All this led to her consequently losing focus in work and hampering her overall quality of life.

Eventually, she decided to meet a counsellor from SAJIDA’s Psychological Health and Wellness Clinic. Initially, she was taught mindfulness exercises and to journal her thoughts. Her restlessness slowly became less intense, and she was taught to better cope with her stress. The counsellor further discussed the process of meditation and positive self-affirmation.

Ms Sadek eventually began to feel better. As she learned how to focus on the positives of life, she started finding joy in teaching online classes to her students and one of her happiest thoughts to reflect upon was her children’s.

Her restlessness has not completely disappeared, but she is extremely grateful that she was able to get counselling despite her financial constraints. Sessions such as these were funded by SAJIDA Foundation and played a significant role in the lives of many more like Ms Sadek, whose suffering increased due to issues brought upon by the pandemic.

“I have always suffered from anxiety and restlessness. I would try to not think about negative things but it was impossible for me to shut down the thoughts in my head. PHWC’s counsellors have showed me useful mental exercises to calm myself. Having someone to listen and understand what I am going through is a liberating feeling for me.