101 college, university students died by suicide in 2021, A recent media monitoring study revealed that 101 stu-dents enrolled in tertiary educational institutions had died by suicide in the 12 months of 2021. The data was revealed today at a virtual press conference titled “The Shocking Upsurge in Suicide Cases among University Students: The Liability of Stakeholders,” organized by the Alcohol Foundation. The staggering rise in suicide had been significant in the case of public university stu-dents, as 62 university stu-dents (that made up 61.39 percent of the overall data) had taken their own lives, the data showed.
101 college, university students died by suicide in 2021
The rate of suicide has been found higher among male stu-dents than females, as 65 of the deceased were male, while the number was 36 for female stu-dents. During the pandemic, increased social, financial, and family pressures are the significant regulators behind the suicides of male stu-dents. Among all the tertiary educational institutions, the highest number of suicides had been recorded in Dhaka University, which accounts for nine students; six were at Jagannath University and five at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.
Other than that, it was also analyzed that 12 medical colleges or university students (which makes 11.88 percent of the overall data) had chosen the pathway of suicide. The study was prepared with data collected and compiled from approximately 50 newspapers and online portals. According to the data, the suicide rate among third and fourth-year undergrad students is 36.63 percent, pointing out that future uncertainty, career-related issues, and social pressure are the tying factors that lead to frustration and mental health detriment among students.
A total of 24.75 percent of the 101 university students died by suicide due to relationship problems. In comparison, it also revealed that 19.80 percent have resorted to ending their lives due to family problems. The month-to-month trend of suicide data shows that the suicide rate in Bangladesh is higher in the winter (14.85 percent) than in the summer (1.98 percent).
Tansen Rose, the founding president of the Alcohol Foundation, stated that “The inability of students to adapt to an uncertain future may be classified as the primary catalyst of suicide cases.” “Some practical knowledge in public and private initiatives such as financial management, emotion control, career-centered skill development, and so on can play a significant role in reducing suicide,” he said. Professor Kamal Chowdhury, program director of Nasrullah Psychotherapy Unit, Department of Clinical Psychology, Dhaka University, also joined the event. He blamed the Covid-19 pandemic for the increasing number of suicides among students.
He also urged the stakeholders to establish suicide cells in each district and collaborate with the government and private sectors to prevent this significant loss. The study recommended services by appointing mental health professionals at the district and Upazila levels and providing proper training to youth organizations. The study also mentioned involving youths in policy dialogue to reduce the suicide rates by giving mental health services the highest priority and incorporating mental health issues and services into primary health care, among other recommendations.