Suicide tendency in rising trend among DU students
Md Moniruzzaman :
Dhaka University (DU), the country’s oldest and largest university, has been experiencing suicidal death of its students at an alarming rate in the recent years.
Concerned experts have attributed this psychosomatic problem to a combination of factors, including academic pressure, mental health stigma, romantic relationship, drug addiction and family disputes.
Varsity sources said a total of 48 DU students committed suicide in 10 years where four learners have chosen the dark path of life within the last 50 days.
In Bangladesh, mounting pressure on academic achievement has left many students struggling with anxiety, depression and hopelessness.
Parents, relatives and society often place high expectations of academic excellence on students, leading to overwhelming pressure and suicidal thoughts.
Recently, Mir Jawad bin Jasim, student of Women and Gender Studies Department, committed suicide on Sunday night after falling from a 10storey building in Hazaribagh area of the capital.
Earlier on 20 September, Firoz Kazi (22) of Chinese Language and Culture Department committed suicide in the same way at Bijoy Ekattor Hall of the varsity.
Apart from this, Monju Sheikh of Bangla Department and former female student named Ritu Karmaker committed suicide on 21 August and 19 August respectively.
A total of 27 students have chosen the dark path in four years.
Among them, four DU students committed suicide 2023 so far, four in 2022, nine in 2021 and 10 students in 2020, according to data of Aachol Foundation and media report on suicide.
Of the victims, six were female students. According to data of proctor office and media report, a number of 21 students committed suicide where three students in 2019, nine students in 2018, three in 2017, one in 2016, four in 2015 and only one student in 2014.
Not only that the DU students have a severer suicide tendency.
According to Dr Mahjabeen Haque, Professor of Educational and Counselling Psychology Department and Acting Director of Student Guidance and Counseling Department of DU, “Above 50 percent of the students who come to us have suicidal ideation”.
“But the students don’t come to us more.
Those who come get relaxation after getting counseling,” She added.
However, the boy’s halls of the university don’t have the facilities of getting psychologist consultation. But the girl’s halls have limited facilities.
“When the suicidal rate increased more at girl’s hall, we convinced the DU administration to create a post of physiologist at hall.
Later we saw a visible output after this.
These facilities are needed at the boy’s hall also,” Dr Mahjabeen said.
Dr Mahjabeen focused on mental health issues.
She said, “Mental health stigma remains a significant barrier to addressing the issue.
Many people in Bangladesh do not fully understand mental health challenges.
If anyone doesn’t have proper mental health, on other word, have any mental health disorders like depression, it may lead her/him to the suicidal attempt.”
“Any kind of addiction including drag, technology, and internet addiction keep us mentally uncomfortable as well as the habit of staying awake at night play a role in suicide.
The environment in which the particular person live is expedited by these,” She added.
The psychologist emphasized gaining the ability to address difficulties. She added, “If the people have the ability of the cope up with and accept that the life is not like a flower, he/she will never take this path of suicide.
This personality pattern will not develop, if he/she is not prepared in these matters from childhood.”
