Public Awareness of Mental Health: Causes, Stigma, andHelp-Seeking Behavior Among Bangladeshi Youth

Background: Mental health disorders represent a growing public health crisis, yet awareness, understanding, and help-seeking behavior remain inconsistent across populations, particularly in South Asian societies where cultural and religious beliefs often intersect with clinical realities.

Objective: This study examines public awareness and perceptions regarding the biological, psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of mental illness among predominantly young Bangladeshi respondents.

Methodology: A structured survey comprising 10 binary-response (Yes/No) questions was administered to 75 participants ranging from 15 to 45 years of age. The survey was conducted online during February 2026.

Key Findings: An overwhelming majority of respondents (97%) acknowledged the neurochemical basis of behavior. High agreement was also observed regarding childhood trauma (91%), sleep irregularity (87%), drug abuse (84%), and social media's psychological impact (81%). However, significant proportions retained supernatural explanations for mental illness (69%), and fear of social stigma was identified as a major barrier to professional help-seeking (80%). Belief in hereditary transmission of mental illness was more divided (61% agreement).

Conclusion: While scientific awareness of mental health determinants is rising among Bangladeshi youth, deep-rooted stigma and supernatural misconceptions continue to impede effective help-seeking behavior. Targeted mental health literacy programs and destigmatization

campaigns are urgently needed.