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Talk Hope: A Youth-Led Mental Health Movement Born from Tragedy, Built on Hope
In Bangladesh, mental health remains a deeply stigmatized and often overlooked issue.
Despite growing global awareness, discussions around depression, emotional trauma, or
suicide are still avoided in most Bangladeshi communities. In this environment of silence,
one youth-led initiative is creating space for dialogue, understanding, and healing. That
initiative is Talk Hope, a national mental health awareness and suicide prevention
movement founded by Md Saddam Hossain Roni under his organization SHADOW —
Society for Humanity And Development Over the World.
The story of Talk Hope begins with tragedy. On February 27, 2024, a dedicated and
promising volunteer of SHADOW took their own life. The loss was devastating, shaking the
entire organization and especially Roni, who had built a close-knit community of young
changemakers. Grieving and searching for answers, Roni realized that despite their
humanitarian efforts, they had missed signs of someone silently suffering. Just two days
later, on February 29, 2024, he launched Talk Hope — a project born from loss, committed
to ensuring that no other young person feels unseen, unheard, or alone.
Talk Hope is designed as a sustainable, youth-led platform for suicide prevention, mental
health awareness, emotional support, and psychological first aid. It trains volunteers to
listen empathetically, provides virtual peer support sessions, and organizes educational
workshops and awareness seminars both online and in communities. The initiative engages
with schools, universities, and local organizations to build a culture of open mental health
dialogue — replacing stigma with sensitivity and silence with support.
Understanding the importance of responsible and informed intervention, Roni undertook a
series of global certifications to build his own capacity and shape the initiative around
evidence-based approaches. He completed a Psychological First Aid certification from Johns
Hopkins University, a course on Gender Analytics from the University of Toronto, and an
Introduction to Psychology from Yale University. These courses helped lay a solid
foundation for Talk Hope, where empathy is backed by expertise.
To further strengthen the project’s capacity, Talk Hope works in collaboration with the
Bangladesh Psychological Association (BPA). Many licensed psychologists from BPA
voluntarily support the platform by helping train its youth volunteers, guiding emotional
support protocols, supervising psychological first aid cases, and conducting expert sessions.
This professional backing has added significant credibility and impact to the initiative.
Before founding Talk Hope, Roni had already earned recognition as a youth leader and
social activist. Born on May 7, 1994, in Cumilla, he began his journey in service through
Rotary International, where he rose through various youth leadership roles. Over the years,
he founded SHADOW, an organization working in disaster relief, education, youth
leadership, and human rights. He is a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF +6), recipient of the Rotary
Youth Leadership All-Star 2017 (Top 5 globally) recognition, and serves as Chief Adviser of
the Rotary Interact Alumni Association of South Asia. His leadership also extends to
professional roles, including as Brand Development Officer at Sthapona Architectural
Consultants Ltd., and CEO of SHADOW IT.
Roni’s vision is not just to lead — but to empower. Through Talk Hope, he and his team
hope to normalize mental health conversations, foster peer-based support systems, and
help build an emotionally resilient generation. He believes that the youth of Bangladesh
have the strength to support one another — if only they are given the tools and space to do
so.
"Hope is not a slogan," says Roni. "It's a bridge between silence and survival. We are simply
building that bridge — one conversation at a time."
Looking ahead, Talk Hope plans to launch a national mental health web portal, establish
mental health clubs in schools and universities, build a stronger counselor referral network,
and collaborate with more public and private institutions to take mental health advocacy to
every corner of the country.
From a moment of unbearable grief emerged a mission of healing. Today, Talk Hope stands
as a beacon for countless young people — reminding them that being vulnerable is not
weakness, and seeking help is an act of courage.
Junior Chamber International (JCI) Dhaka West has announced its new New Leadership Team for the year 2026, with Subah Afrin elected as Local President and Md Tanvir Hasan as Secretary General.
The executive committee was formed during the General Assembly of JCI Dhaka West, held on Tuesday (December 23) in Gulshan, Dhaka.
The newly announced board includes Sujaur Rahman Emon as Immediate Past Local President, Md Saddam Hossain and Audrika Eshna Purbasha as Executive Vice Presidents, Md Sameen Rahman as Vice President, Masud as Treasurer, and Ibrahim Khalil Foysal as General Legal Counsel.
Other office bearers include Ahmed Wazedul Haque Khan as Training Commissioner, Asia Binta Amanat Sumi as PR and Media Chairperson, Jobayer Ahmed Sakib as Digital Committee Chairperson, Md Tanvir Hossain as International Affairs Chairperson. The committee also includes Directors Abdur Rahman Khan Bappy, Tanvir Sohan, Yasir Shahriar and Ahnaf Ahmed. Committee Chairs appointed for 2026 are Sheikh Mahmuda Sultana Sara, Minhatul Jannat, Rayan Islam Sardar and S M Shafiul Alam Sakib.
The election process was conducted under the supervision of SM Belal Uddin, National Vice President of JCI Bangladesh and 2024 Local President of JCI Dhaka West, who served as the Election Commissioner.
The event was attended by Arefeen Raafi Ahmed, newly elected 2026 National President of JCI Bangladesh, Kazi Fahad 2025 National President, along with members of the National Board and several Local Presidents from different chapters.
JCI is a global organization of young active citizens aged 18 to 40, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Operating in more than 120 countries with over 200,000 members worldwide, JCI focuses on developing leadership, skills and civic responsibility among young people. In Bangladesh, JCI has over 40 Local Organizations, among which JCI Dhaka West is one of the oldest and largest chapters.
Mohammad Saiyedul Islam, China: A diverse delegation of international experts, journalists, and social media influencers concluded a captivating week-long exploration of China’s Yunnan province. The immersive tour, jointly organized by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and China Daily, showcased the region’s rich tapestry of ethnic culture, historical heritage, volcanic wonders, and serene landscapes.
The journey provided participants from various countries, including Bangladesh, with a first-hand experience of Yunnan’s multifaceted appeal, blending rural revitalization stories with natural splendors.
The expedition began in the captivating Shimao Village, where the group delved into the narrative of the village’s remarkable transformation. Attendees immersed themselves in the unique cultural heritage and daily life of the Wa people, gaining insights into the community’s traditions and their harmonious development within modern China.
The itinerary then led to the volcanic region of Tengchong. At the Tengchong Hot Sea, participants experienced renowned geothermal wellness at the Beauty Pool Hot Spring Hotel, where they relaxed in the mineral-rich waters. The geological wonders continued at the Tengchong Volcano and Geothermal National Geological Park. Here, the delegation witnessed majestic volcanic landscapes, with some taking to the skies in hot-air balloons for panoramic views and others hiking up the iconic Little Sky Mountain for a closer look at the ancient craters.
Seeking autumnal tranquility, the group visited the picturesque Ginkgo Village, where they enjoyed the stunning golden scenery of ancient ginkgo trees, a spectacle that highlights Yunnan’s seasonal beauty and idyllic rural charm.
The cultural and historical depth of the region was further unveiled in Heshun Ancient Town. The delegation visited the century-old Heshun Library and the revered Wenchang Palace, symbols of the town’s deep-rooted scholarly tradition. A tour of the former residence of Ai Siqi, a prominent Marxist philosopher, added a layer of modern historical significance to the visit.
The international delegates, armed with cameras, notebooks, and social media platforms, documented their experiences extensively. They expressed particular admiration for the seamless integration of cultural preservation, ecological conservation, and community development they witnessed.
“This tour was an eye-opener,” remarked Nuruzzaman Kafi, a social media influencer from Bangladesh. “From the vibrant culture of the Wa people to the breathtaking power of the volcanoes and the profound historical atmosphere of Heshun, Yunnan offers a truly layered and unforgettable experience. It’s a powerful story of natural and cultural heritage being cherished and shared.”
Officials from the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism stated that such exchanges are vital for fostering international understanding and showcasing Yunnan’s role as a key destination for sustainable and cultural tourism. They believe the delegates’ firsthand accounts and wide-reaching influence will help a global audience discover the unique charms of “Colorful Yunnan.”
The successful tour is expected to generate positive international media coverage and digital content, further elevating Yunnan’s profile as a premier travel destination that celebrates diversity, history, and natural beauty.
China Correspondent: A new chapter in Guangxi’s tourism development unfolded on Dec 2, as a themed flight from Beijing touched down at Nanning Wuxu International Airport.
The flight’s arrival marked the official launch of a joint tourism initiative, “The Next Station, Guangxi,” by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Air China, and China Daily, aiming to showcase Guangxi’s spectacular karst landscapes, ethnic traditions, and local charm to global travelers.
Air China’s Flight CA1311 functioned as a “flying cultural experience of Guangxi”, giving passengers an immersive sneak peek into the region’s unique appeal.
From check-in to landing, travelers were surrounded by Guangxi’s cultural elements: dedicated service counters with Guangxi-themed backdrops for photo opportunities, custom-made bilingual boarding passes that doubled as collectibles, and cabin interiors adorned with stickers featuring the region’s iconic landscapes and ethnic patterns.
In-flight entertainment systems looped promotional videos, allowing passengers to glimpse the “unmatched natural and cultural beauty” awaiting them in Guangxi.
Over the next seven days, a delegation of international and domestic travel influencers, vloggers, and media journalists will embark on an exploratory tour of Guangxi’s key attractions.
Their itinerary includes experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of Nanning’s night markets, where the city’s “night economy” thrives; visiting Hechi’s Bama — a world-renowned “longevity town” — to uncover the secrets of healthy living.
Then they’ll travel to Yizhou in Hechi, the hometown of legendary folk singer Liu Sanjie, to listen to melodious local mountain songs; and explore Guilin’s iconic karst mountains and rivers, which have inspired poets and artists for centuries.
Beyond the Beijing-Nanning route, tailored themed flights connecting Shanghai and Guangzhou to Guangxi are also in the pipeline. These routes will create seamless transfer options for international travelers via China’s major aviation hubs, further facilitating access to the region.
To enhance the appeal of traveling to Guangxi, a series of practical incentives has been rolled out.
Individual travelers who book Air China transfer tickets to Guangxi by December 31, 2025, can enjoy an exclusive 4 to 8 percent discount for travel before March 26, 2026. Specific terms and conditions are available through Air China’s official channels.
Travel agencies can access subsidies until January 5, 2026. Eligible firms organizing inbound groups via charters or block bookings qualify for up to 70,000 yuan ($9,660) per charter, or 700 yuan per person for groups of five or more from overseas and China’s Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions.
