Finding solution is crucial

There is a proverb that says, people cling to floating straws to survive. In that case, why do people choose a horrible path like suicide? According to sociologists, incidents of suicide generally occur due to factors such as depression or mental stress. And depression is that illness primarily created by a disparity between aspirations and achievements. It is somewhat socially and family-generated.

The reports published in several national dailies last Sunday (January 28) indicate that 513 students took their own lives last year due to reasons such as feelings of inadequacy, love affairs, academic pressure, family conflicts, and mental health issues. Among them, 60 percent are female. The highest number of suicide incidents has occurred in the Dhaka division, as revealed in a virtual press conference organized by the non-governmental organization Anchal Foundation. Ninety-eight university students, including 19 from public universities, have committed suicide. The highest number, that is five students each, took their own lives at Dhaka University and Chittagong University.

A message is being conveyed to the conscious society through these incidents of student suicides that the students are not doing well. For this reason, educational institutions need to have arrangements where students can express their distress, either within the institution or to someone who can listen and provide support. Students often experience intense mental distress before resorting to suicide. If they have the opportunity to talk about their pain with a teacher during that time, the likelihood of a tendency towards suicide may decrease. In addition to that, it is essential for parents to spend time with their children and provide consistent support to meet their needs, fostering a sense of balance and resilience.

According to the survey, a significant portion of students who commit suicide in schools, colleges, and madrasas choose this path due to humiliation of family members. Experts suggest that someone may have attempted suicide out of a sense of pride and shame after failing to acquire a motorcycle, which they might have aspired to purchase. Apart from this, there are numerous reasons behind students resorting to suicide including family conflicts, disappointment, mental health issues, financial problems, unemployment, harassment, sexual assault, publishing inappropriate photos on Facebook, performing poorly in exams, and various academic pressures.

School and college students experience a period of puberty and managing emotions during this time can be challenging. Mental health experts suggest that even small incidents during this period can give rise to intense emotions. As a result, they may hastily make various life-altering decisions. In this context, the family, especially the parenting style of the parents, plays a significant role, particularly in the upbringing of the children. In a family where all kinds of demands are accepted from a young age, the children of the family have less ability to control their emotions. Such children reduce social interaction. Because they don't want to adapt too much to the surrounding conditions.

In this case, over-indulging children from childhood or the attitude that everything will be fine when they grow up indirectly puts them at risk. Because with the passage of time, their demand also started to grow. Therefore, it is crucial for parents to be conscious. Excessive discipline and harsh control on one hand can create inferiority complex among children, and on the other hand, giving them excessive indulgence may not be beneficial either.

In such situations, it is crucial to enhance students' opportunities for sports and cultural discussions to mitigate the risk of suicide. Furthermore, educational institutions can introduce parenting programs for parents to listen to and understand their children, fostering the mental development of the students along with empathy.

To prevent students from resorting to suicide, it is essential for educational institutions, including schools and colleges, to implement sufficient counseling services at every level of education. Let's say 'no' to suicide, love life.