Recent media reports have highlighted a concerning increase in suicidal tendencies among young students in Bangladesh. Experts point to a combination of factors, including academic pressure, mental health stigma, lack of resources, family and social issues, and cyberbullying, that are contributing to this alarming trend.
In Bangladesh, the immense emphasis on academic achievement has left many students struggling with anxiety, depression and hopelessness. Parents, teachers and society often place high expectations of academic excellence on students, leading to overwhelming pressure and suicidal thoughts.
Mental health stigma remains a significant barrier to addressing the issue. Many people in Bangladesh do not fully understand or acknowledge mental health challenges, making it difficult for students to seek help. This stigma also prevents friends and family from recognizing warning signs of suicide and supporting those in need.
Adding to the problem, the country faces a severe shortage of mental health resources, including trained professionals and accessible support services. This lack of resources makes it challenging for struggling students to find help and support, further exacerbating the problem.
Family and societal issues, such as domestic violence, broken families, poverty, unemployment, and gender discrimination, also play a role in contributing to feelings of despair and isolation among young people. The rise of social media has introduced new challenges, with cyberbullying and negative online interactions leading to low self-esteem and loneliness, which can, in turn, contribute to suicidal thoughts.
A 2023 study conducted by the Achol Foundation revealed the concerning trend of suicide. The study, “Suicidal Tendency Among Students; Which Way to Look for the Solution,” found that 27.36% of students who committed suicide did so out of anger, with emotional reasons accounting for 23.32%, family conflict for 3.14%, depression for 2.01%, and mental problems for 1.79%.
Among the victims, 340 were school students, 106 were college students, 54 were madrasa students, and 86 were university students.
Students aged 13 to 19 are the most likely to commit suicide, accounting for 76.12% of the total number of suicides, with 65.93% being women and 34.07% being men.
Experts believe that the high rate of suicide among this age group is due to the unfavourable environment students face in adapting to physical and mental changes during puberty.
The reasons for suicide vary from person to person, with the main ones being a lack of proper care for children by parents, not following proper methods of child-rearing, and neglecting the child and being uncooperative in the child's growing age.
Tansen Rose, founder president of Achol Foundation, called for action to address the root causes of depression among students in Bangladesh.
Rose cited competition for results and a lack of good parenting as key reasons for depression leading to suicides among children.
Wahida Parveen, a psychologist, and psychotherapist at Ain Shalish Kendro, also identified depression and anxiety as major reasons behind suicides, noting that children are often made to lose their individuality.
Parveen recommended that children be allowed to do what they like and not be pressured. She advocated for more awareness-building and counselling workshops to reduce the tendency of teenagers to commit suicide.
The study found that the highest number of school and college student suicides occurred in Dhaka division (23.77%), followed by Chittagong division (17.27%) and Rajshahi division (16.81%).
The alarming trend of student suicides in Bangladesh calls for action to address the underlying causes and support students in need.
In response to this growing crisis, experts are calling for urgent action from educators, parents and policymakers to create awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. They emphasize the need to improve access to mental health resources and promote a supportive and inclusive environment for young people in Bangladesh.
By working together, these stakeholders can implement strategies to reduce the risk of suicide among young students, ultimately saving lives and safeguarding the future of the nation's youth.
