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.

Ahmed Shaheen, AMD 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.”

Tawhida Shiropa, founder and CEO of Moner Bondhu, said: “For school-going adolescents, mental health is deeply connected to their ability to learn, stay in school, and grow with confidence. However, emotional distress often goes unnoticed in marginalized communities. Through accessible counseling and psychosocial support, this initiative aims to help young people develop emotional resilience, regain confidence, and remain engaged in learning while preparing for a healthier and more secure future.”

Also present at the ceremony were Md Asif Iqbal, head of finance and HR; Sapphire Hossain Khan, project portfolio manager; and Nawshaba Hridita, assistant manager – content and marketing from Moner Bondhu; along with Ziaul Karim, head of communications and external affairs; Md Abdullah Al Mamun, company secretary; and Md Maskur, head of business information systems from EBL.


Source : The Dhaka Tribune (Online)