Invisible Wounds, Visible Impact: Turning My Pain Into Progress | Dr. Awsaf Karim | TEDxDaffodilU
"The biggest breakthroughs happen when you least expect them."Born prematurely and written off by doctors, Dr. Awsaf Karim grew up battling a learning disability, social anxiety, and a speech impediment—struggles that culminated in depression during medical school. When therapy proved inaccessible, he faced a choice: succumb to despair or rewrite his story.In this deeply personal talk, Dr. Karim shares how he transformed his pain into purpose by founding Oroddho Health, a social enterprise that has provided free mental health support to over 800 Bangladeshi youth. His innovative Peer-2-Peer Support Model, now replicated globally, empowers individuals to heal through connection.From a bullied student to a One Young World Ambassador and Financial Times Top 50 Asia Pacific Leader, Dr. Karim’s journey proves that validation begins within. His message? "No one is useless—they are only ‘used less’ by society." Through raw honesty and hard-won wisdom, he ignites a spark of resilience, urging us to turn adversity into energy—and illuminate the world with our own light. Dr. Awsaf Karim is a physician, public health researcher, mental health advocate, and social entrepreneur. He founded Oroddho Health, a pioneering initiative supporting youth mental health in Bangladesh. Under his leadership, Oroddho has provided free assistance to over 800 individuals and received global recognition for its innovation. He is the first J&J OYW Scholar from Bangladesh and was named among the Top 50 young leaders in the world by Leading Lights Asia Pacific (2021). A certified Global Changemaker by the Gates Foundation and South Asian Ambassador for One Young World, Dr. Karim also serves as a Project Research Physician at icddr,b, focusing on maternal and child health. His inspiring journey—from personal struggles to becoming a national healthcare leader—highlights his dedication to creating lasting impact. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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