The pandemic has caused a dramatic rise in people’s mental problems, irrespective of age and sex. An increase in suicides and ideations of self-harm among students of Dhaka University (DU), however, is a matter of concern, say experts.
According to DU statistics, as many as 39 students reportedly committed suicide between January 2005 and December 28 last year. In fact, in 2020, Covid triggered a rise in suicide ideation, with 10 students allegedly ending their own lives-the latest was the death of Touhidul Islam Siam, a third-yearstudent of zoology.
Touhidul allegedly took the extreme step at his Mohammadpur residence in Dhaka on December 28. His classmates claimed he was not only worried about his studies but also upset over his failed love life. DU proctor Prof AKM Golam Rabbani said he was shocked when he came to know that Touhidul hanged himself from a ceiling fan at his home.
On December 25, Rumana Yasmin, a student of the nutrition science department, also hanged herself in her room at the Azimpur Staff Quarters in Dhaka. She had passed BCS exams, and was at the Staff Quarters for training as an assistant director of Ansar Bahini. She took the extreme step as she was said to be upset over being pressured to get married.
Another student, Fariha Tabassum Rumpa of the English department, also committed suicide on October 26. According to her classmates, Rumpa took the extreme step as her family did not approve of her relationship with a man of her choice and instead fixed her marriage with another person.
In September 2000 too, three students allegedly ended their lives. Zakaria Haque Shuvo, a student of management, committed suicide on September 24 over a family dispute, just three days after Kamrul Bahar, a student of the electrical and electronic engineering department, ended his own life.
On September 11, Asif Imtiaz Khan Jisad, a student of political science, committed suicide. However, his family and classmates alleged that he was killed. A probe is underway in the case. Another student, Tarun Sen of the philosophy department also ended his own life on April 6, unable to get a job offer.
Experts attribute the trend to rising mental stress prompted by Covid.
Prof Mahjabeen Haque, the Chairperson of the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, said, “Most people commit suicide owing to depression, personality disorders and mood swings. If these disorders could be taken care of, then we can easily reduce the number of suicides.”
