Focus on students' mental well-being

Student life is an incredibly joyful time. Every moment unveils new mysteries. Going to school in groups, chatting with friends, playing games, and the love and affection of teachers – all of these make student life truly special. This period stays with a person for the rest of their life. As they grow older, people often feel regret, wishing they could relive those days. The anxiety of exams sometimes overwhelms many, and some even have nightmares about them in later life. However, compared to the sheer joy of student life, this anxiety is minimal; with a little awareness and regular study, one can easily overcome this fear and turn it into joy.

The greatest joy of student life is fulfilling an insatiable curiosity. In every class, a student learns so many new things. Every day they grow a little more and acquire new knowledge. Every year, not only do they change classes, but their lives also change significantly. Each year, they become new people. Student life, therefore, forms the foundation for the path they will walk ahead. Regardless of how successful or unsuccessful a person becomes later in life, they always look back and remember their school days. Many wish that if only those days could be recreated, they could shape themselves anew.

However, in our country, especially in the present time, student life has become a constant source of horror. Many schools lack playgrounds, there is no companionship of friends, and there is no affection from teachers; all that exists is study, study, and more study—exams, exams, and more exams. Despite all the studies, they don’t truly learn anything. They pass exams, achieve good results, and an abundance of A+ grades—but the true purpose of education is missing; there is no acquisition of knowledge, no understanding; there is only passing exams, a rat race for success.

As a result, the mental health of our students is deteriorating day by day. A recent survey has revealed alarming findings: last year, 310 students from schools, colleges, madrasas, and universities across the country have committed suicide. This survey, conducted by the social and voluntary organization Anchal Foundation, states that the highest rate of suicides occurred among female students, accounting for 61 per cent. Additionally, students at the secondary education level exhibited the highest tendency toward suicide, with 46.1 per cent of the cases.

At a press conference, the organization highlighted the alarming suicide statistics for students in 2024. In 2023, 513 students committed suicide, while in 2022, the number was 532. Compared to previous years, the number of suicides decreased last year. Researchers believe that fewer suicide-related reports have been published in the media due to the political instability.

Analysts believe that students are resorting to suicide due to a combination of factors such as emotional distress, love-related issues, academic pressure, family conflicts, and mental instability. Due to uncontrolled emotions and relatively weaker mental resilience, students are sinking into despair and taking this drastic step. In addition, family pressure, societal expectations, career uncertainty, and personal relationship complications are further exacerbating students’ mental states. Each suicide is not only a cause of mourning for a family or educational institution but also signals a major gap in our educational and mental health systems.

Anchal Foundation, in their survey, highlighted the suicide rates among students based on education level, gender, and division. There are many aspects to discuss here. Each educational level, gender, and divisional position requires separate research. However, the main issue is that there is very little research on the causes and prevention of suicide in Bangladesh. Mental health research, particularly for children, youth, and students, is not conducted extensively. The aspect of mental care is highly neglected in our country.

Another important point is that the term "suicide" should not be casually used or sensationalized. This could inadvertently provoke others to take such extreme steps. The third issue is that the greatest responsibility for these suicides lies with the society and the state. Our state system has failed to create a safe and joyful environment for students. Instead, it has instilled overwhelming fear in students' minds and has created a life filled with extreme uncertainty for them. After completing their studies, many students fear what they will do next and what type of career they will pursue. This uncertainty is causing distress among a large portion of the student population.

To prevent suicides, Anchal Foundation has made several recommendations, including the Mental Health Ambassador Program, Peer Support Groups, Life Skills Workshops, Gamification Techniques, Feelings Alarm System, Family Counseling Programs, Creative Therapy Classes, and Digital Mental Health Campaigns.

We know that most of these recommendations will remain on paper; they will not be implemented in reality. If they are, it will only be in a few educational institutions in the cities, while the majority of institutions across the country, especially those in rural areas, will remain outside the scope of these recommendations. Even if many students don't resort to suicide, they will suffer silently; because our current education system is slowly suffocating them.

If a three- or four-year-old child has seven or eight books, including Bengali and English grammar books, and as they progress to higher classes, if their bags keep getting heavier—so heavy that they have to carry them with a hunched back—how can these students handle such pressure? Educationist Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed once said that seeing children with heavy bags on their shoulders makes him feel helpless.

Our education system is now confined to only study and exams. To take students out of this, substantial political and cultural change is necessary. Since the mass uprising, there has been a lot of talk about these issues, but so far, there is no evidence of any real change. The large number of students currently studying in our country cannot be properly managed in any way. Each class is overcrowded, the number of teachers is very low compared to students, and many teachers are not even adequately qualified. Many families and students don't have access to a proper learning environment. Due to poverty, they lack balanced nutrition, proper healthcare, good living conditions, and the uncertain and unhealthy lifestyles of other family members also negatively affect them. All of this clearly shows that our students are not doing well. But we must ensure their well-being. Every family needs to make provisions for this, and the state must ensure the mental health care of every student.

Finally, it is important to remember that suicide is not a disease; it is a tendency, and this tendency can change with a shift in perspective on life. Along with this, a strong sense of ethics is also crucial. Our society, state, and families need to cultivate more ethical awareness. Students must also be made to understand that, just as they have responsibilities toward themselves, they also have responsibilities toward their families, society, and the state. Ending one's life due to a wrong decision is a clear sign of folly. If they are facing any mental distress, they must openly communicate with trusted adults. At the same time, adults must be attentive to the mental well-being of students. With the support and compassion of family, society, and the state, students will blossom like flowers. Otherwise, they may wither prematurely. The sorrow of these withered flowers belongs to all of us.