Md Saddam Hossain Roni: The Researcher and Youth Leader Powering Bangladesh’s First 24/7 Suicide Prevention Platform
Dhaka, July 2025 – In a country where conversations around mental health often remain in the shadows, one youth leader is bringing light to the lives of thousands. Md Saddam Hossain Roni, a Bangladeshi researcher, author, and social innovator, is the Founder of Talk Hope, the nation’s first 24/7 free suicide prevention and mental health support platform.
A Founder with Purpose
Roni founded Talk Hope in early 2024 to offer emotional support, psychological first aid, and crisis response—especially to youth struggling with depression, trauma, and isolation. What began as a simple vision has now grown into a national movement, reaching people across Bangladesh through both online and offline networks. The platform is staffed by trained volunteers and mental health advocates who listen, guide, and care—without judgment, cost, or delay.
He is also the Founder of SHADOW (Society for Humanity And Development Over the World), a nonprofit organization dedicated to youth development, mental health advocacy, education, and global peacebuilding.
Professionally, Roni leads multiple ventures under the SHADOW ecosystem. He serves as:
• Managing Director of SHADOW Engineering Solutions
• Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SHADOW IT
• CEO of SHADOW Communications
These platforms allow him to blend technical leadership with grassroots social innovation, ensuring that digital solutions support real-world impact.
Researcher and Author
Md Saddam Hossain Roni is the author of the widely appreciated book “Talk Hope for Life – A Handbook for Psychological First Aid”, a practical guide designed for youth volunteers, educators, and first responders. It introduces a peer-based model of support that is now being adapted across schools and universities.
In July 2025, his research “Teenage Psychology of Generation Z” was published on SSRN, focusing on the emotional challenges, digital behavior, and mental health triggers of today’s youth. His work continues to influence the growing movement for early intervention and emotional education in Bangladesh and beyond.
He regularly contributes thought pieces on Medium and LinkedIn, writing about:
• The stigma around depression and suicide
• Crisis listening as a psychological tool
• Mental health among university students in South Asia
• Parent-teen communication and academic stress
Awards and Recognitions
Roni’s work has earned him both national and international recognition. Some notable honors include:
• Rotary Youth Leadership All-Star 2017 (Top 5 globally in Rotary International)
• Paul Harris Fellow (PHF +6) from Rotary International
• Council on Legislation Representative Certification (2022–2025)
• Featured multiple times on official Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact media platforms
• Top 3 on Rotary District 3281 Leaderboard in Rotary Learning Central
• Official Peace Fellowship Endorser for Rotary International District 3281 (2022, 2023, 2024)
These recognitions highlight Roni’s consistent leadership across mental health, youth training, and peacebuilding.
Global Certifications and Training
To strengthen his expertise, Roni has earned several international certifications from globally reputed institutions:
• Google Professional Certificate in Project Management
• Google IT Support Specialization
• IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
• Gender Analytics Certification from the University of Toronto
• Psychological First Aid Specialization from Johns Hopkins University
• Ongoing training and participation in Rotary Peace Fellowships, leadership bootcamps, and youth conferences worldwide
He also serves as a Rotaract Learning Facilitator and Chief District Rotaract Trainer, training thousands of young changemakers across Bangladesh.
Tangible Impact
Under Roni’s leadership, Talk Hope and SHADOW have:
• Conducted over 500 workshops, seminars, and training sessions
• Trained more than 200 youth volunteers in psychological first aid
• Partnered with schools, universities, and international organizations
• Launched awareness campaigns reaching millions via digital and on-ground efforts
The model of youth-driven emotional care developed by Talk Hope is now being studied by policymakers and educators as a blueprint for scalable impact.
Personal Background
Born on May 7, 1994, in Cumilla, Bangladesh, Md Saddam Hossain Roni was raised in a service-oriented family. His father, Md Khorshed Alam Bhuiyan, is a retired police officer, and his mother, Saleha Akter, is a homemaker. He grew up in a household that valued community service, discipline, and education.
Roni completed his Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB). Beyond academics, he has always been deeply involved in leadership, volunteering, and community work.
He has an elder brother who is an architect, and an elder sister who has completed her MBA. Roni is currently single, and remains fully committed to his work for youth empowerment and mental health development in Bangladesh.
Looking Ahead
Md Saddam Hossain Roni envisions a future where mental health is not a privilege, but a right—where help is always available, stigma is shattered, and every young person feels heard and valued.
His next goals include:
• Launching a nationwide 24/7 toll-free mental health helpline
• Developing an AI-integrated digital therapy portal
• Building mental health clubs in every school and college
• Expanding international collaborations for research and field implementation
For more about his work, research, and initiatives, visit:
www.mdsaddamhossainroni.life
www.talkhope.life
Md Saddam Hossain Roni is not just building a platform. He is building a movement. One that is rooted in compassion, driven by data, and powered by youth.
