How the Alapon Helpline is Changing Lives

Gazipur, Bangladesh - When Rifat, 25, from Gazipur first dialled the Alapon Helpline, his hands trembled. He had spent months struggling with stress and anxiety, feeling as if there was no one in the world who would listen without judgement. He had heard about Alapon through a local radio programme and, in a moment of desperation, decided to call.

“I was tense. Before making the call, I felt like there was no one to listen to me,” Rifat recalled.

On the other end of the line, a calm and empathetic voice responded. The counselor listened carefully and offered a safe space for Rifat to share his story. For the first time in a long time, he felt truly heard.

“That call changed everything,” Rifat said. “The counselor was kind and non-judgmental. I learned how to manage my stress and take better care of myself. ”

Launched in 2020 by UNFPA in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and supported by multiple donors, Alapon was to bridge a critical gap in mental health and psychosocial support for adolescents and young people in Bangladesh. With many facing stigma, discrimination, or limited access to healthcare and information, there was an urgent need for a safe, confidential platform where they could seek help without fear. 

Since its launch, Alapon has received nearly 115,000 calls, offering vital support to young people across the country. In 2025 alone, the helpline responded to 13,657 calls, including 2,222 from boys and 11,435 from girls, highlighting the growing trust adolescents and youth place in the service.

Staffed by trained counselors, the service operates seven days a week, supporting callers on a wide range of issues such as  anxiety, depression, puberty-related concerns, gender-based violence, and sexual and reproductive health.

For 14-year-old Nusrat from Noakhali, Alapon Helpline made the difference between confusion and clarity. She had never received accurate information about menstruation and felt too ashamed to ask anyone. After attending a school session where Alapon was introduced, she found the courage to call.

“I was anxious. It’s very embarrassing to talk about menstruation,” she admitted. “But the counselor was patient and kind. I learned so much—how to manage period pain, how long to use a pad, and what changes were normal during puberty,” Nusrat said.

Before Alapon, Nusrat’s only source of information had been her friends, who often relied on myths and misinformation. Now, she feels empowered to make informed choices.

For Alapon’s dedicated counsellors, every call is an opportunity to help young people.

“A young woman once called me shaking with fear,” recalls Mira, an Alapon counselor. “She had just lost her father and was overwhelmed by thoughts of death. We spoke for several sessions, and over time, she found her footing again. Months later, she called back, not in crisis, but just to say thank you. She had found hope.”

The growing demand for Alapon’s services has revealed the urgent need for more outreach. In many communities, mental health remains a taboo subject, and young people fear being judged when they seek help.   To address this, UNFPA and its implementing partner, Concerned Women for Family Development (CWFD), are taking Alapon’s mission into communities through schools, madrasas, and digital platforms.

Interactive quiz competitions, peer-led sessions, and youth networks help normalize conversations about emotional well-being and direct young people to support. With the rise of social media, Alapon’s outreach has expanded digitally as well to spread the word about the helpline to connect with youth in even the most remote corners.

“We have trained youth organizations to promote Alapon through schools, social media, and community workshops,” a CWFD representative shared. “We need more support to expand our reach.”

As demand grows, further investment is needed to expand and strengthen the service. UNFPA and CWFD are actively working on ways to scale up Alapon’s reach, including extending helpline hours, increasing the number of trained counsellors, and developing a mobile application. Plans are also underway to integrate WhatsApp-based support to make it easier for young people to connect.

For Rifat, Nusrat, and countless others, Alapon has been a turning point.  Nusrat now shares the helpline number with friends who are afraid to speak up. “Sometimes, all it takes is one call to change everything,” she shared with encouragement.

Open every day, Alapon Helpline offers confidential, friendly support to youth and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 24, as well as their parents.

Alapon Helpline: 09678-609-609