Student Suicides Rising Nationwide; School-Level Situation Most Concerning: Aachol Foundation

Staff Report: PNN

The trend of student suicides in the country is rising at an alarming rate. In the past year, a total of 403 students across schools, colleges, universities, and madrasas committed suicide. Nearly half of them were school students. This information was disclosed during a press conference on Saturday (February 28) when the Aachol Foundation released its 2025 annual report.

According to the report, 190 cases involved school-level students, accounting for 47.40% of total suicides. Adolescents’ sensitive emotional states are identified as a major contributing factor. Gender analysis shows that among school students, 139 were girls and 51 were boys. Experts suggest that social and familial expectations, emotional instability, and stress make adolescent girls particularly vulnerable.

The report identifies major causes of suicide as resentment towards family (32.61% of cases), excessive academic pressure (23.69%), and depression or hopelessness (19.47%). Other factors include romantic difficulties, family conflicts, and sexual abuse.

Age-based analysis shows that the suicide rate is highest among teenagers aged 13–19, representing 66.50% of total cases. By division, Dhaka recorded the highest number of student suicides at 118. Experts believe urban competition and educational pressure exacerbate the trend.

During the press conference, specialists highlighted the lack of professional mental health services and counseling in educational institutions as a major crisis. They also pointed out that inadequate open communication between families and children complicates the situation.

Attendees included Dr. Anis Ahmed, consultant forensic psychiatrist at the UK National Health Service; Dr. Syed Mahfuzul Alam, psychiatrist at Applewood Centers, USA; Dr. Maruf Ahmed Khan, Assistant Director at Tangail Medical College; Sohel Mamun, program coordinator of the organization; and President Tansen Rose.

The foundation has set a goal to reduce student suicides to zero by 2030, calling for coordinated efforts from families, educational institutions, the government, and civil society.