Youth action looks like turning a personal conviction into a practice that helps others. Sadia Islam is an advocate for mental health and well-being who has worked in the field for several years.
From personal experience to youth advocacy
Her journey began in 2022 with Project Rumana, an awareness initiative focused on the mental health of school-going children. Through her work, Sadia realised that there were very few conversations for young people surrounding mental health. This inspired her to become a Young Changemaker in 2024, with the Amra Notun Network (ANN). With ANN, she developed and ran Project Chittopot, a platform for university students to talk openly about mental health without judgement. Through interactive sessions, she challenged common myths and stigmas while encouraging empathy and active listening among youth.
Facilitating safe spaces for Bangladeshi youth
Sadia now serves as a Volunteer Facilitator at ANN, and has recently run youth development sessions in Kurigram, Gaibandha and Rajshahi. She sets aside the traditional teacher-student dynamic and learns alongside participants. For her, facilitation means setting a tone that invites people to ask questions, challenge ideas and share experiences in a safe space, which supports both personal and collective growth.
Her academic work runs in parallel. Sadia holds a Master's degree in English Literature, and her research examines human experience, relationships and behaviour. She works to connect storytelling as a therapeutic outlet with its use as a tool for mental health education.
Turning awareness into action
Most recently she delivered an online session on the Core Values of Mental Health First Aid with Shobar Aage Mon. Her aim is to turn awareness into a practised habit, cultivating a growth mindset in individuals and communities so that everyone has the space to be heard, understood and valued. This is what youth action looks like.
