49.4pc of students who died by suicide in Bangladesh last year were school children: Study

A shocking 49.4% of students (310) who died by suicide in Bangladesh in 2024 were school students, according to a study by Achol Foundation, a non-profit organisation.

The data highlighted the severe mental health challenges faced by young learners and the vulnerability of adolescents to emotional distress, the organisation said in its report titled 'Students committed suicide in 2024: Need coordinated initiatives'.

At least 310 students of schools, colleges, universities and madrasas died by suicide in 2024, according to the study.

The number of students who killed themselves across the country was 513 in 2023 and 532 in 2022.

College-level students also accounted for a significant portion of student suicides, representing 23.2% of such cases, according to the study.

Academic pressure and the fear of failing to achieve educational goals have emerged as significant factors affecting students' mental, it said.

According to the study, 14.2% of students who died by suicide cited an inability to cope with academic pressure as the primary reason.

Among these, 59.09% were school students, 29.54% were college students, and 9.09% were university students.

The findings shed light on the profound impact of excessive academic demands on students, emphasising the urgent need for reforms to alleviate the pressure on young learners.

Mental health support and a balanced approach to education could play a crucial role in addressing this growing concern.

The absence of adequate mental health services and counselling, coupled with societal stigma surrounding mental health issues, further intensifies the crisis, it observed.

An age-based review found that the 13-19-year-old age group had the highest suicide rate which is 65.7 per cent of the total suicides, it said.

According to the report, the tendency of suicide is higher among SSC or equivalent secondary level students, which is 46.1 per cent and the students at the higher secondary level hold the second position with 19.4 per cent.

However, the trend of suicide among undergraduate students is increasing gradually, and at the rate is 14.6 per cent..

Of the total students who committed suicide in 2024, 28.4 per cent committed suicide due to emotional distress.

Of these, 56.5 per cent are primary school students, 31.9 per cent are secondary and college students and 15.3 per cent are higher education level students.

Dhaka division had the highest suicide rate in Bangladesh in 2024.

According to the data, 29 per cent committed suicide in Dhaka. followed by Khulna and Chattogram divisions with 17.7 per cent and 15.8 per cent respectively.

Rajshahi and Barisal divisions have similar suicide rates, both accounting for 10.7 per cent. On the other hand, 7.7 per cent in Rangpur, 5.5 per cent in Mymensingh and 2.9 per cent in Sylhet committed suicide.

The findings stressed the urgent need for educational institutions to provide psychosocial support, raise awareness, and implement effective measures to reduce mental health stress among students.