The Crime Desk: In 2023, 513 students from schools, colleges, and universities in the country committed suicide. Although this number is lower compared to previous years, the number of women committing suicide has increased. And considering the level of education, suicide is more common among schoolgoers.
In a virtual press conference on Saturday (January 27), the private organization Anchal Foundation presented this image of suicide in 2023. Farzana Akhter Labani, the team leader of the research and analysis unit of the organization, gave this information to the media.
It was informed in the press conference that the most suicides occurred in Dhaka Division. Among the students who committed suicide last year, there were 204 boys and 309 girls. The number of suicides in 2022 will be 532.
The press conference also informed us that 227 school students committed suicide in 2023. Among them are 140 college students, 98 university students, and 48 madrasa students.
149 students committed suicide in Dhaka Division, 89 in Chittagong Division, 77 in Rajshahi Division, 64 in Khulna Division, 43 in Barisal and Rangpur Division, 36 in Mymensingh, and 12 in Sylhet.
60.2 percent of the total students who committed suicide in 2023 were women. Analyzing the causes of their suicide, it was found that 28.8 percent committed suicide due to pride, 16.5 percent due to love affairs, 8.4 percent due to mental imbalance, 7.1 percent due to family quarrels, 3.9 percent due to sexual harassment, 4.2 percent due to study pressure, and In failure, 1.6 percent committed suicide due to domestic violence, 0.6 percent due to humiliation, and 2.9 percent due to a lack of desired results.
The Anchal Foundation said pride is the main reason behind student suicide in 2023. Of the total 165 students, 32.2 percent were motivated by pride, 14.8 percent by love affairs, 9.9 percent by mental problems, 6.2 percent by family quarrels, 1.4 percent by family violence, 4.5 percent by study pressure, 3.5 percent were unsuccessful, 1.8 percent did not get the desired results, 2.5 percent were sexually harassed, and 0.8 percent felt humiliated and chose suicide.
44.2 percent of the total students committed suicide last year. Among them are 140 college students, 18 university students, and 48 madrasa students.
The Anchal Foundation also said that the tendency to do various risky activities is most common during adolescence. At this time, there is also a tendency toward anger. Last year’s figures show that 341 students between the ages of 13 and 19 committed suicide. Out of this, there are 222 girls and 119 boys.
The suicide rate of 20- to 25-year-olds is 23.4 percent, that of 26- to 30-year-olds is 2.3 percent, and that of one- to two-year-old students is 7.8 percent.
Tansen Rose, President of the Anchal Foundation, said that pride is the main reason behind last year’s suicide incidents. The rise in suicides due to pride raises concerns about the strength of family-child relationships. Adolescents are more emotional due to hormonal reasons. As a result, the tendency toward suicide is also high. Due to the lack of a supportive environment for students to study and grow in Dhaka city, there are more incidents of suicide.
The organization gave some recommendations to prevent suicide. They are mental health screenings at least once every month for school- to university-level students. Having a mentor for every student and starting a mental health corner. Inclusion of mental health issues in teacher training. Launching various public and private initiatives to break the taboo on mental health. Teaching students emotional control strategies and patience in families and schools. Teaching students about coping strategies, stress management, and emotional intelligence to deal with any negative situation. A toll-free national hotline number should be introduced to make mental health care quick and accessible.
