Dhaka Opens Free Mental Health Services Across Multiple Neighborhoods

Dhaka residents can now reach free mental health support through the National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and the BRAC Mental Health Programme clinic on Road 11 in Banani without paying any fees.

High daily commute times along roads like Mirpur Road and the ongoing pressure from urban density have left many office workers and students reporting persistent tension, making these no-cost options relevant for immediate use rather than waiting for paid private sessions.

Reaching the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar facility

Walk-in hours at the National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital run from 9am to 3pm on weekdays, where staff provide initial assessments and short counseling sessions focused on breathing exercises and sleep routines. The BRAC clinic in Banani operates a separate helpline at 01713-000-999 that connects callers to the same Banani site for same-day phone guidance or in-person slots on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

Evidence from recent city data

A June 2026 survey by the Dhaka North City Corporation found that 22 percent of adults in the Gulshan and Mirpur areas described their stress levels as severe enough to affect work attendance, with the figure rising to 31 percent among university students near Nilkhet. Both listed services operate on government and donor funding that covers all consultations, medication samples and follow-up calls at no charge to users.

Anyone seeking help can start by calling the BRAC number or arriving at the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar gate with a national ID, then ask at reception for the free stress-management desk; staff there will schedule a first session within two days and share printed tip sheets on quick desk-side breathing drills that fit into office breaks along busy stretches like Kemal Ataturk Avenue.