Every 40 seconds, someone's life is lost to suicide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 700,000 people die by suicide around the world each year. The vast majority of these deaths are the result of untreated mental health struggles. Issues like depression, personality disorders, schizophrenia, and substance addiction often lie at the heart of these tragedies. When combined with relationship difficulties, personal setbacks, and the overwhelming weight of life's pressures, suicide can seem like the only way out. But the truth is, it is a tragic escape that leaves behind irreparable pain for families, friends, and entire communities.
A Growing Concern in Bangladesh: The start of the new year has brought fresh concerns, as reports from across the country reveal a troubling surge in suicides. Talented young individuals are increasingly falling into despair, weighed down by academic, social, and personal pressures. One such case was that of Mehedi Hasan, a student at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), who tragically took his life due to stress over his academic performance. Similarly, in December 2024, a residential student from Jahangirnagar University ended their life after a conflict with a peer. But it's not just students who are affected; suicide has spread to professionals as well. For example, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Shariatpur's Jajira Police Station reportedly took his life due to mental stress. A young garment trader from Joypurhat and Shukla Dey, an employee of a private microfinance institution in Boalkhali, also succumbed to suicide-the latter reportedly driven to despair over mounting loan repayment pressures. These tragic events serve as a stark reminder that suicide is a pervasive issue affecting every level of society.
In Bangladesh, between 10,000 and 14,000 lives are lost to suicide each year, making it the second leading cause of death after road accidents. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 11,000 suicides were recorded in 2021 alone. The rate of suicide among university graduates is growing rapidly, with many young people becoming overwhelmed by academic and social expectations.
Research shows that suicide is the leading cause of injury-related deaths among those aged 10 to 19, with adolescent females particularly at risk. Overall, Bangladesh's suicide rate stands at 7.3 per 100,000 people annually, but it's even higher among the elderly. Rural areas face a suicide rate that is 17 times higher than urban regions, and among adolescents, the suicide rate reaches a staggering 20.1 per 100,000. In rural areas, the suicide rate for males is 17.7 per 100,000, while for females it rises to 22.7 per 100,000. A study focusing on students aged 13 to 17 found that 4.4% of boys and 5.8% of girls had attempted suicide, often driven by failed relationships, academic pressure, excessive screen time, negative impacts of social media, and strained family relationships.
In a particularly alarming revelation, the Aachol Foundation's 2023 report highlighted that 361 students from schools, colleges, universities, and madrasas took their lives in just the first eight months of the year. Dhaka Division accounted for the highest number of cases, with female students representing nearly 60% of the total. The leading causes behind these suicides were emotional distress, relationship problems, family conflicts, and academic failures.
Legal and Social Perspectives: In Bangladesh, attempting suicide is still treated as a criminal offense under Section 309 of the Penal Code, which carries a punishment of up to one year in prison, a fine, or both. The law also criminalizes the act of provoking or assisting someone in taking their life, with offenders facing up to 10 years behind bars. While these legal provisions are in place, they fail to tackle the root cause of the problem-the deep mental health struggles that so many individuals face in silence.
Warning Signs of Suicide: What We Must Recognize: Recognizing the warning signs of suicide is essential to preventing tragic losses. These signs often show up as changes in both behavior and emotional state. Individuals may start talking about wanting to die, expressing feelings of guilt or shame, or believing they are a burden to others. Emotionally, they may feel empty, hopeless, or worthless. Behaviorally, they may withdraw from loved ones, give away possessions, or even start planning for their death. Risky behaviors, like reckless driving or an increase in alcohol or drug use, can also be red flags. Identifying these signs early and stepping in can truly save lives.
The American Psychiatric Association points out several protective factors that can help reduce suicide risk, such as access to mental health care, staying in touch with healthcare providers, and having strong social ties. The CDC suggests strategies like teaching coping skills, offering temporary support for those in crisis, and making sure individuals have access to both mental and physical health care. In Bangladesh, these efforts must be central to our approach if we hope to tackle the rising suicide rates.
Five Actionable Steps to Save a Life: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides a simple yet powerful guide for how we can help those struggling with suicidal thoughts. First, we need to ask directly if they are thinking about suicide. Research shows that asking won't increase the risk of suicide-instead, it opens up a conversation. Next, we must be there for them, offering our presence in whatever form we can-whether in person, on the phone, or online. Ensuring their safety by reducing access to lethal means is another critical step. Connecting individuals with professional mental health care and crisis hotlines is vital. Finally, following up with them, showing that they are valued, and reminding them that they are not alone is essential in preventing a tragedy.
A Call to Action for Bangladesh: As a developing nation, we can focus on the following strategies:
l Understanding Risk and Protective Factors: It's important to study the factors that contribute to suicidal behavior, especially within different communities-whether in urban or rural areas, among religious minorities, or across various age groups. This will help us identify who is at risk and why.
l Community-Based Interventions: We need to develop and implement prevention programs that are not only effective but also affordable and suitable for local communities. These programs should be tailored to reduce suicide rates in a meaningful way.
l Increasing Public Awareness: Raising awareness about suicide and its warning signs is crucial. By sharing information on both the risk and protective factors, we can help people recognize the signs and understand how to provide support.
l Training Healthcare Providers: Healthcare workers need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to identify and address the risk factors for suicide. This includes offering training on how to spot early signs and provide the right interventions.
l Strengthening Protective Factors: It's important to focus on building resilience, particularly among children and young people. Strengthening these protective factors can help buffer against the pressures and challenges that might lead to suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Embracing Hope: Suicide is preventable. It's a tragic, unfathomable loss, but it doesn't have to be the end of the story. As Australian activist Christine Caine wisely said, "Sometimes when you're in a dark place, you think you've been buried, but you've actually been planted." No matter how long or overwhelming the night feels, the sunrise will come. Let's be the light that guides others through the storm. Let's offer the kind of hope that lifts them up, show the patience that heals wounds, and remind one another that even in our darkest hours, life still holds infinite possibility.
