STORIES FROM THE HEARTH

A CONVERSATION WITH:

Murad Ansary

Founder and CEO, Psycure
🌍 Dhaka, Bangladesh

The wellbeing for social change movement is growing around the world! What does it look like in Bangladesh?

Murad Ansary, founder and CEO of Psycure, attended the first global summit on wellbeing for social change, held in Bilbao, Spain, in 2022, as one of the delegates representing Bangladesh. Two years later, a regional summit was held in his hometown of Dhaka — the first in Asia — bridging the global conversation on wellbeing with the local reality in Bangladesh. In this interview, Murad reflects on his stimulating experiences at both Summits, discussing the lasting impacts of the Summits on his work to help sure accessible mental healthcare for everyone in Bangladesh.

Murad at the global summit in Bilbao, Spain, in 2022 (left) and the regional summit in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2024 (right).

“Since the Bilbao summit, I’ve been working with my community to ensure better mental health systems.

In Bangladesh, we don’t have many mental health professionals, with only thousands for 160 million people. And 90% of the professionals are practicing in the capital.

I’m leveraging everything I learned at Bilbao to connect with my community and address these issues, making mental health services more accessible and affordable for everyone.

What was your experience like at the first global summit for wellbeing for social change, held in Bilbao, Spain, in 2022?

My experience at the first global summit in Bilbao was really amazing. There are a couple of reasons why I enjoyed it so much. First of all, the diverse perspectives were very enriching. They didn’t only focus on health; they covered mental health, emotional wellbeing, and spiritual wellbeing. The sessions were filled with innovative ideas and approaches to enhance wellbeing. It was fascinating to learn about the cutting-edge research and practical applications from around the world showcase showcasing the latest advancements in the field. Additionally, the workshops were engaging and helped me connect with numerous people from different backgrounds. This exposure was a new experience for me, helping me understand how the world approaches and solves various problems. The networking opportunities were invaluable, allowing me to hear from renowned speakers and learn about their journeys and approaches to problem-solving. Especially memorable were the cultural diversity sessions, which included networking events beside the river and explorations of Bilbao city. We witnessed some novel theater performances that depicted mental health conditions and struggles. This unique approach left a lasting impression on me, offering a perspective that plain content might not have been able to achieve. Overall, it made my experience at the summit truly memorable.

The first regional summit in Bangladesh was held in Dhaka in March 2024. What was that experience like for you?

The Wellbeing Summit Dhaka 2024 was a motivating experience for me. I was excited and a bit tense since it was happening in my country: it had to be the best! We represented our local folks and traditions, showcasing our spiritual, mental, and emotional wellbeing in unique ways. We managed to create a holistic approach, not just focused on mental health but encompassing broader aspects of wellbeing. This regional focus allowed for a more tailored discussion on solutions relevant to Bangladesh, emphasizing community engagement and collaborative opportunities, despite limited resources.

This regional focus allowed for a more tailored discussion on solutions relevant to Bangladesh, emphasizing community engagement and collaborative opportunities, despite limited resources.

What similarities or differences did you see between the global summit in Bilbao and the regional summit held in Dhaka?

Both summits embraced a holistic approach. We engaged the community, there were collaborative opportunities, and we discussed policies and advocacy.

The primary difference was the context. The global summit addressed wellbeing issues on a broader international scale, while the Dhaka summit focused specifically on the unique challenges and opportunities within Bangladesh. This regional focus allowed for a more tailored discussion on culturally relevant solutions and available resources. The global summit had access to a wide range of resources, including international experts, while the Dhaka summit highlighted innovative ways that local organizations and individuals are making impactful changes despite limited resources.

The global summit had access to a wide range of resources, including international experts, while the Dhaka summit highlighted innovative ways that local organizations and individuals are making impactful changes despite limited resources.

Which summit did you prefer?

Both were crucial to me. The local summit was significant because it was part of my country. That’s definitely why it was the best. But Bilbao was the most amazing since it was my first international summit. This gave me the opportunity to meet people from different cultures and gain diverse experiences. So, while Dhaka was best for local relevance, Bilbao remains the most memorable.

What has your wellbeing for social change journey been like since you attended the wellbeing summit in Bilbao in 2022?

Since the Bilbao summit, I’ve been working with my community to ensure better mental health systems. You might be surprised to know that in Bangladesh, we don’t have many mental health professionals, with only thousands for 160 million people. And 90% of the professionals are practicing in the capital. So practicing outside of Dhaka is a very big challenge.

When I joined Bilbao, there were people from different parts of the world also working on this issue. They are also going through this. I heard their stories. I asked, “If you’re going through that kind of problem, what was your approach? How do you track all this? How do you collaborate with other people? How do you manage the funding?”

I’m leveraging everything I learned at Bilbao to connect with my community and address these issues, making mental health services more accessible and affordable for everyone. Our vision is to provide mental health services that anyone can access from anywhere at their convenient time.

What is your opinion of the wellbeing for social change movement in Bangladesh after attending the summit in Dhaka?

The movement in Bangladesh adopts a comprehensive approach, addressing physical, mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. This holistic strategy is crucial for fostering sustainable and impactful solutions for change. The summit highlighted numerous grassroots initiatives that empower local communities to take charge of their wellbeing. This bottom-up approach is effective, ensuring culturally relevant and community-driven solutions.

The wellbeing for social change movement in Bangladesh is a promising path. The increasing dedication, innovation, and collaborative efforts observed at the Dhaka summit reinforce my belief that this movement will continue to significantly improve lives across the country. I’m really excited to see how this initiative evolves and contributes to a healthier and more equitable society.

About Murad

Murad Ansary is an International award-winning mental health entrepreneur and a Clinical Psychologist from Bangladesh. He is the founder and CEO of Psycure, a one-stop digital solution platform for Mental Health and Emotional wellbeing. He is a Mental health development professional with 5+ years of experience in community development

Murad is a Z Zurich Scholar, Speaker & Ambassador of One Young World Summit, delegates of “The Wellbeing Summit for Social Change” in Bilbao, Spain, and “Bangladesh Youth Leadership Summit” where he brought attention to the mental healthcare industry of Bangladesh and sought support to improve its condition. He is very passionate about addressing problems to improve mental well-being and enable social equity. Murad is also an editor of a psycho-fiction book titled ‘Mono Jogoter Aadhar Alo’ (Light in the Psyche of Darkness), which encourages youth to seek help

For his outstanding work on mental health, he won various prestigious national and international awards, including the Joy Bangla Youth Award-2020 and Bangabandhu Innovation Grant-2021 from the Bangladesh Government, the Young Global Changemaker Award-2021, and The Diana Award-2022. He has also been featured in renowned newspapers and television media at home and abroad.