31-07-2025
Saddam Hossain Roni: The Youth Leader Behind Bangladesh's First 24/7 Suicide Prevention Platform
Dhaka, July 2025 – In a country where mental health still carries immense stigma and professional support remains largely inaccessible, Md. Saddam Hossain Roni is emerging as a symbol of change. At just 31, he is the Founder of Talk Hope, Bangladesh's first 24/7 youth-led suicide prevention and emotional support platform — a movement driven by empathy, technology, and community.
🎓 A Humble Beginning to a Life of Purpose
Born on 7 May 1994 in Feni, Bangladesh, Roni completed his SSC and HSC from Cumilla, and went on to earn his Bachelor's in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) from American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB). His passion for youth leadership was cultivated early through years of involvement in Rotaract, Leo Club, and national volunteering networks.
🧠 Talk Hope: A Lifeline Born from Listening
In February 2024, Roni launched Talk Hope, a non-profit emotional support service that connects trained youth volunteers and psychologists with individuals experiencing distress, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
Over 200+ trained volunteers have been mobilized to offer 24/7 support.
On SSC result day 2025 alone, 20+ suicide interventions were successfully made.
Services include WhatsApp helplines, PFA-based peer support, and mental health workshops in schools and universities.
Recognized by Dhaka Tribune as 'Bangladesh's first youth-led 24/7 suicide prevention service.'
'We are not professionals. But we are listeners. And sometimes, a listener is all a person needs to survive.' – Roni
🌐 Founder of SHADOW – Building Systems That Empower
Alongside Talk Hope, Roni is the Founder & Executive Director of SHADOW (Society for Humanity and Development Over the World), a youth-led social impact organization that works on:
Disaster response and climate resilience
Public sanitation campaigns
Empathy-based education
Digital awareness and mental health
He designed and led Empathy 2023, a mental health-themed rock concert that gathered over 12,000 youth in Dhaka.
🏢 Professional Roles & Business Ventures
Roni has successfully combined his engineering knowledge with his passion for service to become a multi-sector entrepreneur. He currently serves as:
Founder & CEO – SHADOW IT
Managing Director (MD) – SHADOW Communications
Managing Director (MD) – SHADOW Engineering Solutions
Founder & Executive Director – SHADOW (NGO)
Founder & Chief Coordinator – Talk Hope
Each wing focuses on community-driven development while offering youth employment and training opportunities in:
Cybersecurity
Web & mobile app development
Educational tools and mental health tech
Event production and strategic communication
🎓 Certifications & Global Training
Roni has received training from prestigious global institutions:
Psychological First Aid – Johns Hopkins University
Google IT Support Specialist – Google
Youth Suicide Prevention Training – Mindframe Australia
IBM Data Science Professional Certificate – IBM
Climate Change and Youth Resilience – UNDP Asia-Pacific
He regularly writes about mental health and youth empowerment on Medium and LinkedIn, where his work has inspired thousands of readers.
🏅 Awards & Recognition
Named in Top 5 Rotaract All-Stars (2017)
Featured in Dhaka Tribune, Bangla Tribune, Daily Sun, Channel 24, LCIF Pride, and more
Honored by youth networks and NGOs for contributions to suicide prevention
Invited to represent Bangladesh at international youth forums and summits
🔮 Vision: A Bangladesh Where Youth Don't Suffer in Silence
Roni's initiatives aim to:
Embed mental health education into schools and universities
Train 10,000+ first responders across Bangladesh by 2030
Establish a nationwide, free mental health support system using both online and offline models
Create scalable tech-driven solutions for empathy-based community care
'Mental health support should not be a luxury. It must be a basic human right, especially for the youth who will shape tomorrow's world.'
Summary Table
Category Information
Full Name Md. Saddam Hossain RoniDate of Birth 7 May 1994Origin Feni, BangladeshEducation BSc in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, AIUBMain Initiative Founder & Chief Coordinator – Talk HopeNGO Leadership Founder & Executive Director – SHADOWBusiness Titles CEO – SHADOW ITMD – SHADOW CommunicationsMD – SHADOW Engineering SolutionsFocus Areas Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Advocacy, Youth Empowerment, Tech for GoodGlobal Training Johns Hopkins, Google, IBM, UNDP, Mindframe
Recognition Rotaract All-Star, Multiple National Media Features
