Author name: MindFirst

Mindy is proud to announce that it has officially become the designated vendor for the Mind First Project, supported by the UNESCO x SEVENTEEN Global Youth Grant Scheme. This exciting development marks a new chapter in our journey to make youth mental health support more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable across Bangladesh. As the implementing partner, Mindy will lead the design, execution, and monitoring of the Mind First Project, a youth-led mental health initiative aimed at equipping young people with the tools and knowledge to support themselves and their peers. This recognition from UNESCO and SEVENTEEN affirms our commitment to innovative, youth-centered approaches to mental well-being, and we are deeply honored to take this role forward. The Mind First Project was one of 100 youth-led initiatives selected globally through the UNESCO x SEVENTEEN #GoingTogether campaign. With the support of this grant, Mindy will work toward training at least 500 youth in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), forming 50 peer support groups in schools and communities, and launching culturally responsive awareness campaigns to challenge stigma. Our focus remains clear: empower young people to become agents of change within their own networks. Through our established experience in youth engagement and emotional support, Mindy will ensure that each element of the project—from workshop delivery and facilitator training to resource development and community outreach—is carried out with care, inclusivity, and impact in mind. Our role as the project vendor allows us to ensure strong coordination, ethical implementation, and transparent use of resources aligned with the vision of the grant. This partnership is more than just a milestone—it’s a movement. Mind First represents the collective resilience and leadership of young people in Bangladesh who are ready to step up for one another. With UNESCO and SEVENTEEN’s support, and with Mindy’s capacity to deliver grassroots change, we are poised to create a ripple effect of compassion, awareness, and action across communities. We thank our partners, advisors, and every young person who has believed in our mission. Together, we will continue building a future where mental health is not a privilege, but a right—understood, supported, and nurtured by all.

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.