Teenagers accounted for 65.7 percent of 310 student suicides in 2024, according to a survey by the Aachol Foundation.

The findings were presented yesterday during a virtual press conference titled "Student Suicides in 2024: The Need for Collective Action."

The survey noted that student suicides declined from 532 in 2022 and 513 in 2023, possibly due to reduced media focus during the 2024 political unrest (July uprising). Data was compiled from 105 national newspapers.

Teenagers (13-19) had the highest suicide rate, followed by young adults aged 20-25 (24 percent) and children aged 1-12 (7.4 percent). Those aged 26-30 had the lowest rate (2.9 percent). Females accounted for 61 percent of deaths by suicide, males 38.4 percent, and third-gender and transgender individuals each made up 0.3 percent.

Secondary-level students had the highest share (46 percent), followed by higher secondary (19.4 percent), honours (14.6 percent), master's (1.9 percent), and diploma students (0.6 percent). Dhaka division recorded the highest percentage of suicides (29 percent), while Sylhet had the lowest (2.9 percent).

In the virtual presser, Professor Jamal Uddin of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology attributed the issue to poor mental health awareness among students, urging the introduction of mental health services in schools and colleges.

Dr Sayedul Islam of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University highlighted the stigma around failure and advised parents to monitor their children's mental health closely.

Aachol Foundation founder Tansen Rose and lawyer Nawfel Zamir called for collective action to address the alarming trend.