About Us
AFM
About AFM
Alokito Manush Foundation (AMF)
During the year 2024, family support groups scattered around the Australian Bangladeshi community were seeking answers and treatments for loved ones affected by mental illness in their native land, Bangladesh.
After years of hard work and innovative, wishful thinking to help very disadvantaged people in Bangladesh suffering from mental health issues, a group of Bangladeshis living in Australia — along with many well-wishers and friends from Bangladesh — created by Fuad Ahmed, transformed a small gathering of families into an organization called Alokito Manush Foundation (AMF), a nonprofit organization that eventually has a dream to help massive numbers of Bangladeshi people.
Local patriots from Bangladesh coming together helped to spur a national movement in the near future. Our thoughts are to facilitate improvement towards mental illness at a national level.
Our journey captures some of the many milestones in advocacy, research, education, and awareness for disadvantaged people in Bangladesh for mental illness and relationship advocacy.
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Who are we
Alokito Manush Foundation (AMF) is the nation’s premier grassroots mental health and relationships advocacy organization, dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Bangladeshis affected by mental illness and broken relationships.
What started as a small group of families gathered together in 2024 with a dream has now begun to blossom into the nation’s leading voice on mental health and relationship advocacy.
We have bigger goals — to establish a strong alliance with local affiliates and root-level communities who can serve as volunteers to raise awareness, provide support, and deliver education that was not previously available to those in need.
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What we do
We Coach:
We aim to reach thousands of communities across Bangladesh through AMF (Alokito Manush Foundation) and AMF Affiliates. Our education programs ensure that hundreds of families, individuals, and educators receive the support and information they need.
We Support:
Throughout the country, our AMF affiliates host support groups for those experiencing mental illness and dysfunctional relationships, ensuring that no one feels alone in their mental health and relationship well-being journey.
We Advocate:
AMF upholds national public policy in Bangladesh for individuals with mental illness and their families. We provide volunteers with essential tools, resources, and skills to promote mental health awareness and relationship advocacy across all communities.
We Listen:
A helpline via our website connects us directly to people seeking help, allowing us to respond personally to hundreds of requests. We provide free information and support—a much-needed lifeline for many.
We Guide:
We envision hosting public awareness events and activities, including Mental Illness Awareness Week, to fight stigma and encourage understanding of mental health and healthy relationships in the near future. AMF works closely with stakeholders to ensure the nation recognizes the importance of mental health and its connection to meaningful relationships.
AMF encourages voluntary support and contributions—even small ones—to help us continue our important work.
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Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Tips on How to Talk with People Living with Mental Illness
Countless people in Bangladesh live with a mental health condition. It is likely to encounter individuals experiencing mental illness within close family or daily life.
The following suggestions offer practical guidance on how to approach and communicate with someone living with a mental health condition:
Because vast majorities of Bangladeshi people are poor, low to middle-class citizens with different languages, cultures, lifestyles, and ages—adopt and respect their individuality. Listen to their cultural and religious values and respond accordingly.
🌿 Practical Tips for Effective Communication
Give space that is comfortable without interruption and likely minimal distractions.
Use easy language in the conversation. Acknowledge with proper greeting and gentle gestures.
Speak in a relaxed and kind manner.
Use straightforward communication and stick to one topic at a time.
Be compassionate and empathetic to their feelings by engaging in active listening and acknowledging their challenges and difficulties.
Instead of directing the conversation at them with “you” statements, use “I” statements instead.
Be a good listener, be responsive, and make eye contact with a caring approach.
Ask easy questions and avoid arguments.
Give them the opportunity to talk and open up but don’t press.
Share some easy insights as a way of encouraging easy conversation, such as comments about the weather, the family, or other.
Reduce any defensiveness by sharing your feelings and looking for common ground.
Speak at a level appropriate to their age and knowledge development level. Keep in mind that mental illness has nothing to do with a person’s intelligence.
Be aware of a person becoming upset or confused by your conversation with them.
Show respect and understanding for how they describe and interpret their symptoms.
Genuinely express your concern.
Offer your support and connect them to help if you feel that they need it. Ask, “How can I help?” if appropriate, or even, “Can I pray with you now?” if appropriate.Give the person hope for recovery, offer encouragement and prayers.
🚫 Things to Avoid Saying
Just pray about it.
You just need to change your attitude.
Stop harvesting on the negativity, you should just start living.
Everyone feels that way sometimes.
You have the same illness as my (whoever).
“Yes, we all feel a little crazy now and then.”
⚠️ Things to Avoid Doing
a. Criticising, blaming, or raising your voice at them.
b. Talking too much, too rapidly, or too loudly. Silence and pauses are okay.
c. Showing any form of hostility towards them.
d. Assuming things about them or their situation.
e. Being sarcastic or making jokes about their condition.
f. Patronizing them or saying anything condescending.