DU Correspondent :
The suicide tendency among the students of the country has been rising alarmingly. Record says that this year around 45 students on average committed suicide per month which was remain much less before pandemic.
At least 364 students of various educational institutions committed suicide in last eight months, according to the study conducted by Aachol Foundation.
Some 194 suicide incidents, the highest number, were recorded among school level students, while the higher tendency was observed among female students which is 60.71% or 221 people than male students that is 39.29% or 143 students.
A total of 76 college students choose the dark path of suicide, while 50 university students and 44 Madrasha students followed it, according to survey.
Aachol Foundation, a suicide preventing student organization, conducted the survey and disclosed it on Friday at a virtual press conference titled “The rising suicide rate among students; How important is it for us to be concerned?.”
In order to conduct the research, the data was collected through secondary sources which consisted of 150 national and local newspapers and online portals across the country.
According to the survey, Dhaka city is the most suicidal area where 25.27 percent of students committed suicide. It is also 16.48 percent in Chittagong Division,14.01% in Khulna Division, 8.78% in Rangpur Division, 9.62% in Barisal Division, 7.42% in Mymensingh Division, 14.01% in Rajshahi Division and only 4% in Sylhet division.
Some 53.30 percent of school-age (primary to secondary) students committed
suicide, while 20.88% in college students, 13.74% of university students and it also 12.09% in Madrasha students.
The tendency of suicide is the most noticeable among 13 to 20-year-olds, which is 78.6 percent and 13.46 percent of students in the age bracket of 21 to 26 years opted for suicide, according to the survey.
Why students choose the dark path?
The organisation has found out some causes after analyzing the suicide cases and they gave most of the blame to romantic motives.
A maximum of 25.27% sold their lives for romantic reasons, while 24.73% for out of pride, 7.42% for inability to buy digital device, 6.59% for family disputes, 4.67% for rape or sexual harassment and 3.57% for mental health issues, according to the survey.
Besides, four students committed suicide after being blackmailed by recording offensive pictures and videos on their cellphones.
“Now, the suicide cases are increasing at a very alarming rate. It is argent need to find out the reasons behind this and take appropriate action against it,” Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Professor of Clinical Psychology Department of Dhaka University said.
“The students are going through such a condition, even if they are not suicidal, are likely to led them into other mental problems. Professionals should discuss about this issue and work together on what steps to take,” he added.
