The revelation that an average of around 40 people die by suicide every day in Bangladesh is a chilling indicator of a profound and largely unaddressed social crisis. Police records on unnatural deaths show that between 2020 and 2024, a total of 73,597 suicide cases were recorded. That means an average of nearly 14,700 deaths a year or around 40 lives lost every day due to suicide. Alarmingly, the trend shows no sign of decline: from January to October 2025 alone, 12,335 cases were reported, pushing the daily average slightly higher.
Mental health professionals point to psychological distress and untreated mental illness as the primary drivers of these deaths. This grim reality should serve as a wake-up call for policy-makers, health professionals, educators and communities alike. Regrettably, the country's mental healthcare remains inadequate, both in terms of treatment facilities and government budgetary allocation. Mental health continues to receive only a negligible share of public health spending. As a result, access to professional counselling, psychiatric care and long-term treatment remains limited, particularly outside major urban centres. Moreover, widespread ignorance, stigma and neglect mean that many individuals with mental health conditions remain untreated and are denied timely counselling and medical support. As a result, they are often forced to suffer in silence, sometimes until it is too late.
While the government must significantly expand mental healthcare services and support facilities, suicide prevention cannot be the responsibility of the state alone. It requires a coordinated response involving the healthcare system, educational institutions, social services, families and the wider community. Notably, studies show that school students account for nearly half of suicide deaths in Bangladesh, with one report indicating that they made up 49.4 per cent of such cases in 2024. Disturbingly, every year following the publication of board examination results, reports emerge of students taking their own lives. Many of these young people fall victim to unreasonable academic pressure imposed by a section of guardians who expect GPA 5 from their wards at any cost.
For some parents, children's academic performance has become a matter of social prestige rather than personal growth. Many openly tell their children that failure to secure the highest grades will bring embarrassment and loss of status in society, pushing families into a relentless and unhealthy competition. While every parent naturally wants their child to succeed, such pressure is often applied in misguided good faith. However, not every child is equipped to withstand this near-inhuman stress. Some may cope and excel, but others buckle under the strain, with devastating consequences.
Beyond academic pressure and institutional shortcomings, broader social and economic causes and behavioural changes are also deepening the mental health crisis. Excessive individualism and growing social isolation have emerged as major contributors to depression. In the past, extended families provided emotional supports. One could share joy, sorrow and frustration with grandparents, siblings and relatives. As extended family structures have gradually given way to nuclear households, many people now find themselves with few, if any, trusted listeners.
Meanwhile, the rise of the internet and social media based lifestyle has worsened the problem. Superficial online interactions have replaced meaningful human communication, while constant comparison and digital pressure have taken a toll on mental well-being. Combined with the stresses of modern lifestyles, these shifts have eroded emotional resilience and contributed to a rising incidence of depression, particularly among young people already burdened by academic expectations and fear of failure.
Depression gradually drains both mental and physical strength, distorts self-worth and shatters hope. Crucially, it cannot be wished away or expected to resolve on its own. As psychiatrist Dr Mohit Kamal has observed, addressing depression requires identifying its root causes and adopting lifestyle changes. Greater social engagement such as participating in social functions, spending time with friends and relatives and seeking out people with a positive outlook can help counter feelings of isolation. Besides, he says adequate sleep, regular meals, exposure to sunlight and maintaining daily routines also play a vital role in restoring balance and emotional stability in our life.
aktuhin.fexpress@gmail.com
