Nusrat Sultana
The rise in suicide cases tells a silent but devastating story. Suicide is not just an individual tragedy; it reflects deeper cracks in our societal, emotional, and mental well-being. While it may feel like an escape to someone burdened with immense pain, suicide is never a solution—it is a permanent decision to what could be temporary suffering.

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Bangladesh Police, over 10,000 people die by suicide annually in our country. That’s about 30 people per day—a number that exceeds the deaths from road accidents in some years. What’s even more tragic is the growing number of suicides among youths and adolescents, especially students and young professionals.
A 2022 study from BRAC’s Institute of Educational Development showed that more than 61% of students in urban areas reported symptoms of depression or anxiety, yet only a small fraction received psychological support. Suicide is now one of the leading causes of death among people aged 15–29 in Bangladesh.

Several factors contribute to this growing crisis. According to sociologist Emile Durkheim,suicide is a social phenomenon. He said that those who are overly involved in society commit suicide. On the other hand, those who are overly isolated from society also commit suicide. Besides that, the competitive nature of the education system, along with family expectations, often pushes students to breaking points.Unresolved conflicts, heartbreak, or abuse in romantic and family relationships are common triggers. With rising unemployment and economic disparity, many young and middle-aged adults see no way out of debt or poverty and they choose suicide. In Bangladesh, seeking psychological help is often seen as a sign of weakness or madness. As a result, most people suffering from depression or
trauma never reach out for support. Recently , several tragic cases involving students have made headlines for committing suicide. These events have sparked temporary public discussions, but long-term structural change remains lacking. So to tackle the suicide crisis in Bangladesh, a multi-level approach is necessary. First of all parents should take care of their children mental health. Introduce emotional well-being modules in schools, colleges and universities. Teachers should be trained to identify warning signs and friends should mentally support their friend who is not mentally stable for any reason. Some organizations are doing excellent work to reduce suicide, but we need more helplines that offer round-the-clock, multilingual, confidential support. Mental health services should be decentralized, with facilities in rural and underserved areas. Government, media,and influencers must promote the idea that seeking mental health support is courageous.Suicide prevention should be treated as a national health priority. In case of reducing suicide, proper funding, trained personnel, and public outreach are also crucial.

The pain that drives someone to consider suicide is real and deep. But it crucial to remember: suicide ends all possibilities—both pain and hope. With proper awareness, timely support, and societal change, lives can be saved. The message must be clear: you are not alone, and help is available. In a society, no one should ever feel that death is their only escape.

The writer is a students,department of Sociology, University of Chittagong