Mental health is a critical public health concern, shaping emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Depression and anxiety are the most common and preventable mental disorders, can be significantly improved by early interventions and proper care. This study investigates help-seeking behavior at early stage (mild to moderate anxiety and depression) and its determinants among Bangladeshi women. Special focus is given to media exposure as a potential enabler of early support. We used Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) data 2022 and utilized bootstrapped fixed-effect logistic regression model to detect the determinants. Only 20.8% of the women in this study (Weighted N = 3181) reported seeking help at least once. Compared to women with no education, those with secondary or higher education were respectively 1.41 and 1.55 times more likely to seek help (95% CI = 1.07 – 1.87 and 1.04 – 2.28 respectively)). In reference to Barisal, residents of Khulna (aOR = 2.76, 95% CI = 1.70-4.65) showed the highest increase in help-seeking odds. Working women had significantly greater odds of seeking help (aOR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.52–3.07). Internet users were twice as likely to seek help (95% CI: 1.52–2.75), while smartphone users showed lower odds (aOR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.46–0.88). Watching Television showed no significant (aOR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.88, 1.36) impact on help-seeking behaviour. There are alarmingly low levels of help-seeking among Bangladeshi women facing early-stage anxiety and depression, with housewives being the least likely to seek support. Education, employment, decision making autonomy, and internet usage significantly influenced help-seeking behavior. Despite widespread access, television remains a neglected tool in mental health promotion. An integrated, culturally sensitive strategy with combination of mass media, peer support, equitable responsibilities, education, and policy have the potential to empower women and spark early help-seeking for mental health.

End-of-life (EoL) care is the final phase of life (typically the last year when death is imminent), distinct from but related to palliative care, which provides broader support for serious illness. In many low- and middle-income countries, including Bangladesh, end-of-life care remains underdeveloped. Cultural norms, socio-economic disparities, limited palliative care infrastructure, and lack of healthcare provider training further complicate informed decision-making at EoL. This study aimed to evaluate EoL care awareness, preferences, and decision-making factors among critically ill older adult patients in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2024 to February 2025 across eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh, involving 1,270 patients aged ≥ 50 years with chronic or advanced illnesses, including hospitalized patients aged ≥ 18 years with life expectancy < 1 year from private (n = 368), public (n = 439), and community (n = 463) settings. Divisional hospitals provided hospital-based data, while three randomly selected sub-districts per division ensured proportional community representation. Data was collected using structured questionnaires adapted from validated international tools, capturing socio-demographics, and end-of-life (EoL) awareness, preferences, and experiences. Predictors of end-of-life preferences were examined using multiple logistic regression analysis. Only 6.93% had health insurance, with just 1.7% in community settings. Palliative care awareness was highest in private hospitals (70%), followed by public (31%) and community settings (7.1%) (p < 0.01). Advance care planning awareness and documentation were lowest in community patients (p < 0.01). Older adults (≥ 60 years) were more likely to prefer home care (OR = 2.96, p = 0.004), avoid hospitalization (OR = 17.55, p < 0.001), and choose home death (OR = 10.29, p < 0.001). Greater understanding of palliative care (OR = 7.38, p < 0.001) and hospice comfort (OR = 25.26, p < 0.001) strongly predicted documentation of end-of-life preferences. Family openness varied widely (private: 81%, public: 21%, community: 7.1%). Proxy appointment was significantly associated with prior discussions (AOR = 4.11), while trust in healthcare providers reduced the likelihood (AOR = 0.39). Profound disparities in end-of-life awareness and preferences exist across healthcare settings in Bangladesh, driven by socio-economic, cultural, and institutional factors. Efforts must prioritize patient choice through enhanced communication, culturally sensitive advance care planning, and expanding home-based palliative options to honor care preferences at the end of life.