Assessing the need of professional counselors and their potential role in Bangladesh

Abstract

The objective of this study is assessing the need of professional counselors and their potential role in Bangladesh. To achieve this objective, mixed method has been applied, predominantly qualitative study. For qualitative study, documentation, observation, interviews, focus group discussion have been used involving persons considering their age, sex, institutional affiliations, and experiences in the field. The sample size of qualitative study consists of thirty respondents, aged 25 and above and among whom 9 male, 21 are female. For quantitative study, a survey instrument has been administered on 982 respondents, aged above 18, male 51.7%, female 48.9%, from Dhaka, Chittagong, and Rajshahi divisions in Bangladesh. The research findings demonstrate that the number of available mental health service centers including resource persons and counselors/psychotherapist, in particular, is very limited. There is a huge gap between the existing problem and the services being provided for their mitigation. The result also shows that mental health services are mostly concentrated in Dhaka, the Capital of Bangladesh; while other districts and rural areas are badly deprived of them. Further, lack of awareness about psychological problems, stigma and knowledge about services among general population also contribute in not seeking mental health services. As per the professionalism of the counselors, currently there are a very few professional counselors in existence. In addition, the concept about counselor’s educational background, their roles, competency, supervision, collaboration among mental health and medical professionals is rather vague both among the professionals as well as those that are in need of these services. It is clear from this research that Bangladesh has a long way to go in order to understand the need of professional counselors for psychological wellbeing of the people; and meeting the gap between the presently available mental health services as opposed to their adequate requirements is very essential to establish professional counseling in Bangladesh.