Our Projects
Completed Projects
GROW-1
This population-based study explores the psychological effects of the 2024 student revolution in Bangladesh among the general population (>=15 years). It focused on trauma, psychiatric symptoms, and intergenerational differences in psychological impact. A mixed-method approach was used, beginning with an online sensitisation workshop on mental health, trauma, and resilience, followed by a cross-sectional survey using the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Participants aged fifteen years and above, identifying as Bangladeshi, were invited through online recruitment. Adolescents were included with both parental consent and participant assent, ensuring ethical compliance. Data were collected anonymously via REDCap, with sample size estimated using standard formulas for cross-sectional studies. Findings enhanced understanding of trauma and resilience among Bangladeshi youth and inform evidence-based strategies for post-crisis psychological recovery and mental health policy development.
GROW-2a
This study investigates the psychological impact of the 2024 student-led uprising in Bangladesh, focusing on the wellbeing, resilience, and self-care practices of university students directly or indirectly affected by the movement. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from students at Dhaka University and Jagannath University—two institutions central to the uprising—through an online, self-administered survey. The survey incorporated validated instruments: the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and a self-care assessment tool, all translated into Bengali. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence and severity of trauma-related and distress symptoms and to validate these measures within a Bangladeshi context. Findings provided evidence to guide mental health policy, trauma-informed interventions, and post-crisis recovery planning for Bangladeshi youth. We also validated the Bangla versions of IES-R and K-10 tools.
SMILE
The evaluation will assess the reach, effectiveness and implementation of the HEAL Foundation’s free dental health campaign using a mixed-methods design: quantitative measures (programme data and a cohort with baseline and follow-up questionnaires, and brief clinical assessments where feasible) will quantify changes in service utilisation, oral-health knowledge and self-reported behaviours, while qualitative interviews and focus groups will explore implementation fidelity, acceptability and contextual barriers and enablers. Key indicators include number and demographics of beneficiaries reached, changes in the proportion brushing twice daily and flossing, selected clinical markers (e.g. untreated decay) where collected, and participant satisfaction. Findings will be synthesised into an evidence-based report, a policy brief for stakeholders, community-facing summaries and academic outputs as appropriate, with the goal of informing programme refinement and scalable, equitable preventive oral-health strategies in low-resource settings.
Climate migrants
Rapid urbanisation and climate change are converging to drive mass internal migration worldwide. The major cities and the capital of Bangladesh are facing a continuous influx of climate-induced migrants from the coastal and other natural hazard prone areas. This paper examines the vulnerabilities and displacement dynamics of climate-induced migrants residing in Dhaka’s informal settlements of Korail and Molla. Drawing on a mixed-methods design that integrated community interviews followed by a structured household survey (n=161), the study investigates both the socio-economic and environmental challenges faced by these internal migrants. Based on these results, this study recommends comprehensive policy interventions, including the enhancement of housing infrastructure, the promotion of community-based adaptation strategies, and the integration of informal settlements into formal urban planning
Ongoing Projects
GROW-2
As we enter Phase 2 of the GROW project, our research adopts an quasi-experimental study design to examine healing process following the July 2024 student-led revolution in Bangladesh. We are investigating how formal and informal support systems—mental health services, family structures, peer networks and cultural practices affect trauma recovery. The intervention arm will attend a series of in-person, community-based Nirban Healing Workshops, which provide interactive sessions on coping strategies, self-care and collective healing approaches; the control group will comprise people from the general population who experienced or witnessed the July 2024 events but did not receive any formal support. Outcomes will be measured using validated self-report instruments (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale — K10, Bangla version; and the Impact of Event Scale, Bangla version) to assess psychological distress and trauma symptoms. Through this Phase-2 study we aim to generate evidence on the real-world effectiveness of trauma support—particularly in settings with limited formal care where informal systems are pivotal—and to inform future culturally relevant, community-centred and
Beyond Fertility: Exploring the Psychological and Sexual Health of Sub fertile Women in a Clinical Setting
Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is highly prevalent among sub fertile women, often emerging as a consequence of infertility and its treatment. Dysfunction encompasses reduced desire, arousal difficulties, impaired orgasm, and pain during intercourse, affecting 37–76% of sub fertile women in various settings. Psychosocial factors, relationship quality, and cultural expectations further exacerbate both psychological distress and sexual dysfunction. Subfertility in Bangladesh is compounded by stigma, social exclusion, financial limitations, and inadequate access to psychological and sexual health services. These factors highlight the urgent need for culturally sensitive interventions and holistic fertility care. This study therefore aimed to examine the prevalence and severity of anxiety, depression, stress, and sexual dysfunction among sub fertile women attending Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Dhaka, providing insights to guide clinical practice and policy development in reproductive health.
After the Crash: Psychological Sequelae of the 2025 Milestone School Tragedy in Bangladesh
This study investigates the psychological consequences of the tragic air crash at Milestone School, Diabari, Uttara, Dhaka, on 21 July 2025, which resulted in 35 fatalities—including students, teachers, and staff—and 173 injuries. Experiencing such a catastrophic event places surviving school-going adolescents at high risk for depression, anxiety, and stress. Research show people exposed to such trauma are prone to develop depression, anxiety and stress in the longer terms rather than PTSD. The study aims to assess these mental health outcomes among Milestone students and compare findings with adolescents from another school who witnessed the incident over media coverage. This cross-sectional analytical study will include 500 randomly selected students. Data will be collected using the Bangla-validated Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and a semi-structured socio-demographic questionnaire. Findings will provide evidence to guide early mental health intervention and post-crisis psychological support for affected adolescents.