‘Unwind Mind 2021’ ends

Photography and art competition "Unwind Mind 2021" – organised by mental health advocate startup Psycure with an intention to induce participants in a rewarding journey designed to empower themselves and generate a stronger belief among everyone about mental health – came to end on Tuesday.

The closing ceremony of the competition was held on Facebook Live, says a press release.

The online creative contest that began on 26 February this year was aimed at combating the impact of the pandemic by providing the creative youngsters of the country a platform where they can express their depiction of mental health through artworks.

Citing a mental health survey, the press release said 17% of adults in Bangladesh are undergoing mental health problems and 92% of them are not seeking professional help.

Psycure is working relentlessly to countervail this situation, it added.

"Psycure has risen to become one of the most promising startup organisations focusing on mental health problems through counselling and therapy since its establishment. Simultaneously, it is active in developing and raising knowledge about mental health issues through workshops."

Dr M Tasdik Hasan, research associate at the University of Liverpool and Asif Uddin Ahmed, acting director of the EMK Center, attended the event as chief guests, while Lamia Mohsin, junior consultant at the UNDP, hosted it.

Dr M Tasdik Hasan shared his experience on seeing the development of numerous research papers on the issue of mental health in the time of global pandemic and it was due to the damage this invisible virus has caused.

He further discussed how this competition creates value by reinforcing the depth of this sensitive issue.

"Some of the paintings submitted by the participants were very thought-provoking and it was very connected with the surroundings. Indeed they are very talented," he said.

Meanwhile, Asif Uddin Ahmed advised people to understand their vulnerability. He said "If you can't comprehend your vulnerability, you can't understand others. It's important for leadership and leaders needed to realize the intensity of this issue when the global pandemic was affecting each and every one badly".

The competition ended with the announcement of winners in its three categories: photography, digital art and painting.

The total prize pool was Tk15,000. The first-place winner in each category would receive Tk5,000 each and there were many other exciting prizes for all the winners, according to the press release.

The winners of the photography contest were Shafiul Islam Shaikot, Sing Mong Prue Marma, Rayhan Ahmed, Mohammad Mahabub Mehdi and Sumit Karmaker.

On the other hand, Sohag Kumar Mishro, Yeasin Arafat, Mehjabin Mizan Mrittika, Abdullah Mailk Nobel and Kamrun Nahar Jyoti won the painting competition.

Meanwhile, Fahim Faisal Anik, Fahim Rezowan Rabid, Abdullah Al-Amin, Meftahun Nahar Ful and Suraiya Afroz Momo were declared winners in the digital art category.

Claiming that the event got a positive response from the people in general and that the purpose of this event which was to create mental health awareness among youth was fulfilled, Psycure said it is looking forward to organising the event on a larger scale once the Covid-19 pandemic is over.