Health cannot be completed without mental health. Prevalence of mental illness is relatively high and becoming a major problem in Bangladesh. According to the National Mental Health SurveyBangladesh 2018-19, nearly 17% of adults in Bangladesh are suffering from mental health issues, where 14% of children aged between 7 to 17 years suffer from mental health issues (NIMH & WHO, 2019). The objectives of this study were: i) To identify the extent of knowledge and attitudes among the respondents regarding mental health and mental illness, its causes symptoms and awfulness; ii) To determine the knowledge about the treatment and management system of mental patients among their caregivers; iii) To know the ideas of the respondents about existing mental health services, sources of getting services and their effectiveness; and finally iv) To find-out the limitations of the services and give some recommendations about how to develop the services for mentally ill patients. To achieve the above mentioned objectives, the study was quantitative in nature and conducted based on sample survey. Considering the non-probability sampling, purposive sampling technique was adopted and data were collected from 200 respondents from the mental health providing institutions in Dhaka city and by interview schedule. Study revealed that out of 150 respondents majority of respondents (70%) have heard the name of mental illness but conception about awfulness of mental health and illness are totally unscientific. Out of the total, 25% respondents who know about the causes and its symptoms and 33% have mentioned the unscientific causes of mental illness. Most of the respondents (53%) do not know the examination process of this disease/illness. According to the study, only 20% respondents have taken treatment regularly and 43% reported they are not satisfied in treatment. Because, doctors/nurses did not give attention properly, some other issues were misbehave, very expensive services, lengthy process,insufficient facilities, distance from home, and inadequateand unskilled manpower etc.Mental health remains neglected in this country with the shortage of service facilities,manpower and logistic support and inadequate funds. To overcome these constraints, changing models of mental health care, adoption of a holistic approach, and accessible care

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Authors : Tahmina Akhtar

Keywords : Mental Health Illness, Awareness, Treatment and Effectiveness