Moner Bondhu

Moner Bondhu (Bengali: মনের বন্ধু, meaning "Friend of the Mind") is Bangladesh's largest and leading mental health and wellbeing platform, founded by Tawhida Shiropa (CEO). Moner Bondhu provides online and in-person mental health counselling, well-being tools, and self-care resources to address the mental health crisis in Bangladesh — a country of 180 million people where mental health services have historically been stigmatized and inaccessible.

🚀 Founding Story

Tawhida Shiropa founded Moner Bondhu with 13 years of experience in the social sector. She is an Acumen Fellow and US State Department alumna. Shiropa recognized that Bangladesh faced a massive mental health challenge — millions of people suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress, but professional help was either unavailable, stigmatized, or unaffordable for most.

Moner Bondhu was built to bridge this gap, providing accessible, professional, and confidential mental health support through a 24/7 hotline, trained counselors, mobile app, and digital content. In 2023, Shiropa was selected as a "Sustainability Thought Leader" in Vogue Business 100 Innovators — a prestigious international recognition.

💰 Investment & Recognition

Moner Bondhu has received funding and recognition from prestigious institutions:

• 🏛️ Startup Bangladesh Limited — Government-backed VC investment (2021, iDEA funding)
• 🇺🇳 UNICEF Venture Fund — Featured by UNICEF for transforming children's well-being in Bangladesh (March 2025)
• 🇺🇳 UNDP — Featured by United Nations Development Programme for founder story (February 2021)
• 📋 Acumen Fellow — Founder Tawhida Shiropa is an Acumen Fellow

📱 Platform & Services

Moner Bondhu offers comprehensive mental health support:

• 📞 24/7 Hotline — Round-the-clock mental health support
• 👩‍⚕️ Trained Counselors — Professional counselling services
• 📱 Mobile App — Available on Google Play Store
• 🧘 Well-being Tools — Self-care resources and tools
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Manush-E — Product developed for transforming children's well-being (UNICEF backed)
• 🏢 Corporate Services — Employee mental health programs

Moner Bondhu also develops Manush-E, a product focused on transforming children's well-being in Bangladesh, recognized by UNICEF Venture Fund.