We are excited to share that Rehanuz Zaman, Founder and CEO of Mindy, has been selected as one of the recipients of the UNESCO x SEVENTEEN Global Youth Grant Scheme. This global recognition honors 100 outstanding youth-led initiatives from over 70 countries that are working toward building inclusive, compassionate, and sustainable communities. Supported by SEVENTEEN’s #GoingTogether campaign, the grant celebrates the power of young changemakers driving meaningful impact around the world.
Under Rehanuz’s leadership, Mindy has grown into a trailblazing organization committed to making mental health support accessible to youth, especially in underserved areas of Bangladesh. His journey began with a vision to create safe, stigma-free spaces where young people could feel heard, supported, and empowered. That vision materialized into Mindy’s flagship initiative, Mind First, a youth mental health project designed to train adolescents and young adults in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), establish peer support networks, and foster long-term community resilience.
The grant from UNESCO and SEVENTEEN will support Mindy’s mission through funding, along with mentorship and capacity-building support from global mental health and innovation experts. With this backing, the Mind First project will scale its reach to train over 500 youth, establish more than 50 peer-led mental health support groups, and run awareness campaigns that challenge stigma and promote emotional well-being. The initiative also includes the creation of digital platforms for anonymous peer-to-peer support and access to mental health resources.
Rehanuz Zaman expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, stating, “This grant is not just a financial boost—it’s a powerful acknowledgment of the work young people are doing to rewrite the narrative around mental health. It gives us the tools, confidence, and global support to continue building systems of care that are rooted in empathy and led by youth.” His dedication to sustainable change and youth empowerment continues to inspire a growing movement of mental health advocates in Bangladesh and beyond.
This milestone is not just a celebration of one individual’s leadership—it is a collective achievement made possible by the passion, resilience, and commitment of the entire Mindy team, our volunteers, community partners, and the young people we serve. Together, we are shaping a future where mental health is treated with the urgency, dignity, and compassion it deserves.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to UNESCO and SEVENTEEN for believing in the power of youth to lead transformative change. With this recognition, Mindy moves forward stronger, more hopeful, and more determined than ever to ensure that no young person ever has to face mental health challenges alone.