There is a significant gap in mental health provision in Bangladesh’s education system. At the university level, however, there exists a minimal safety net. Students can seek help when they face severe depression, career-related stress, or personal crises. Many major public universities have student advisory centres, while others offer access to psychology or medical departments. In such cases, students may consult professionals.

This system is far from perfect, but it helps prevent many young adults from reaching a breaking point.

Void in Schools and Colleges

This safety net is largely absent in schools and colleges. This absence explains why hundreds of young lives are lost silently every year. According to a 2025 survey by the Aachol Foundation, 403 students died by suicide in Bangladesh. The figure stood at 310 in 2024. This sharp rise within a year is not merely a reflection of personal despair; it highlights a systemic failure in addressing mental health within the education system.

Adolescents at the Highest Risk

The survey reveals a disturbing trend. Of the 403 student suicides, 190 were schoolchildren—nearly half (47.4%). Another 92 were college students. Adolescents are clearly the most vulnerable group.

Consider a 13- or 14-year-old student burdened with heavy schoolbags and the overwhelming pressure to achieve a GPA-5. Alongside academic stress, they undergo complex physical and emotional changes. Unrealistic expectations, both in school and at home, create an internal storm that often goes unnoticed.

Silence, Isolation and Bullying

When adolescents face cyberbullying or harassment, they often withdraw into silence. Without access to professional counsellors or psychologists in schools, they are left with no safe space to express their emotions without fear of judgement.

This emotional isolation deepens their distress and leaves them vulnerable.

Gendered Vulnerabilities

The data also highlights troubling gender disparities. Female students accounted for more than 249 deaths—approximately 61.8% of the total. As girls enter adolescence, societal restrictions, family pressures, relationship challenges, and cyberbullying increasingly affect their mental well-being.

These layered pressures often disrupt their psychological balance in profound ways.

Pressures at University Level

Interestingly, the trend shifts at the university level. Of the 77 university students who died by suicide, 41 were male and 36 were female. At this stage, anxiety over unemployment and societal expectations becomes more pronounced.

Young men, in particular, may experience identity crises driven by uncertainty about the future. The Dhaka division recorded the highest number of student suicides (118), reflecting the isolating nature of urban life, family detachment, and growing loneliness among youth.

Need for Emotional Support

To break this chain of tragedies, we must move beyond a culture of blame. Empty advice is no longer sufficient. The government has invested heavily in educational infrastructure—constructing buildings, setting up digital labs, and distributing textbooks. While these initiatives are commendable, they overlook a critical component: the psychological well-being of students.

Practical Steps Forward

The solution is not unattainable—it requires coordinated action. While employing clinical psychologists in every institution may not be immediately feasible, gradual steps can be taken.

Teachers can be trained in basic psychosocial support to identify behavioural changes in students. A child who suddenly becomes withdrawn or inattentive should be approached with empathy and care. A compassionate teacher can often serve as the first line of support.

The Ministry of Education and relevant authorities should work towards establishing mental health cells or counselling centres in schools and colleges, both public and private, in a phased manner. Basic mental health screenings could be introduced at the start of the academic year.

Parent-teacher meetings should also expand their focus beyond academic performance. Schools can invite professionals to raise awareness among parents about adolescent mental health. Such efforts can foster more supportive home environments.

A Wake-Up Call

The loss of 403 young lives is a stark wake-up call for Bangladesh. Schools and colleges are meant to nurture dreams, not silently witness the suffering of students. A collaborative effort involving the government, educational institutions, and families is urgently needed. With empathy, awareness, and institutional support, many of these young lives can still be saved.

(The author is a student of Folklore and Social Development Studies, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at Shihab.fsds@gmail.com.)