When an NGO the scale of BRAC invests in a corporate mental health programme, it sends a clear signal to the wider development sector: employee wellbeing is not a perk, it is infrastructure. At Chum Wellness, we believe an organisation’s greatest asset is the mental and emotional wellbeing of its people, and we recently had the honour of partnering with BRAC, a prominent leader in the development and NGO sector, to launch a comprehensive corporate wellness initiative. This immersive programme was designed to combat workplace stress, foster resilience, and equip employees with the psychological tools they need to thrive.
The challenge: high-pressure environments in the NGO sector
Working in development and humanitarian work often involves tight deadlines, immense responsibility, and continuous cognitive engagement. Field teams and programme staff carry the weight of communities they serve, frequently without pausing to attend to their own emotional load. Left unaddressed, these high-stress factors can contribute to employee burnout and chronic anxiety. Recognising the importance of a psychologically safe workspace, BRAC partnered with us to implement a structured intervention focused on stress management and mindfulness training, a considered approach to workplace mental health in Bangladesh that many organisations are only beginning to prioritise.
What Chum Wellness delivered: a BRAC employee wellbeing programme
Our team of licensed therapists and psychologists conducted engaging, hands-on corporate counselling sessions built around resilience and mindfulness. Rather than one-off talks, the curriculum was practical and repeatable, giving staff tools they could carry back into their daily work.
Programme pillars
- Practical mindfulness techniques, teaching employees how to anchor themselves in the present moment and steady their attention during demanding days.
- Emotional regulation, cognitive-behavioural strategies to process frustration and maintain clear, calm decision-making under pressure.
- Work-life harmony, establishing healthy boundaries to prevent burnout and protect long-term wellbeing.
This blend mirrors the structured support we build into our corporate wellness programmes and our wider Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for organisations across the country.
Inside the sessions
The programme came to life in the room, with facilitators guiding BRAC teams through interactive exercises, group reflection, and applied mindfulness practice.
Why NGO and development teams need this support
Across Bangladesh, conversations about employee wellbeing are shifting from stigma to strategy. When a respected institution like BRAC treats mental health as part of how it looks after its workforce, it makes it easier for other employers in the development sector, and beyond, to follow. A well-designed intervention supports retention, sharpens focus, and helps people feel genuinely cared for at work. You can read more about how we structure these engagements on our Chum Wellness for Business hub, or explore another engagement in our programme case studies.
Why NGO and development staff need mental health support
Development and NGO work is purposeful, and it is also emotionally heavy. Field and programme staff often witness hardship, travel long distances, manage large caseloads and carry a strong sense of responsibility for the communities they serve.
Over time that can lead to compassion fatigue and burnout, even in highly committed people. Regular, practical support, from mindfulness and emotional regulation to setting healthy limits, helps staff keep doing demanding work without paying for it with their own wellbeing.
Signs your staff may be heading towards burnout
- Field staff feeling numb or detached after difficult visits
- Long hours becoming the norm rather than the exception
- Committed people losing their sense of purpose
- Teams avoiding conversations about how the work affects them
If several of these sound familiar, a short conversation with our team can help you decide where to start.
How to run a similar programme in your organisation
Every organisation is different, but most successful programmes follow the same simple path:
- Start with what your people need. Share your team size, locations, shift patterns and the pressures you are seeing.
- Choose the right format. A one-off corporate workshop, a year-round wellness programme, an Employee Assistance Programme, or a mix.
- Launch with a pilot if you like. Many companies start with one team and expand once people see the value.
- Review anonymised results. Participation, feedback and themes guide what comes next, without identifying anyone.
See all our corporate wellness and employee mental health services, or browse more corporate mental health case studies.
Frequently asked questions
Who led the BRAC programme?
The programme was led by Chum Wellness psychologist KM Ataur Rahman Robin (Psychologist). You can read about their experience on their profile.
What is compassion fatigue?
The emotional and physical exhaustion that can come from repeatedly supporting people in difficult situations. It is common in NGO, health and social-sector roles.
What did the BRAC sessions cover?
Practical mindfulness, emotional regulation with cognitive-behavioural strategies, and healthy work-life boundaries to prevent burnout.
Can support reach staff working outside Dhaka?
Yes. Online sessions work anywhere in Bangladesh, so field teams in districts can join as easily as head-office staff.
Is a programme like this only for large NGOs?
No. Smaller organisations often start with a single workshop or a pilot team and build from there.
Bring a wellbeing programme to your organisation
If your team is navigating high-pressure work and you want to invest in a mental health programme grounded in practical, evidence-informed care, we would love to help. Request a proposal and let’s design a programme that fits your people.
