At least 403 students died by suicide in the country in 2025, with schoolchildren making up the largest share — a total of 190 cases.
In the cases, the number of female students was higher than male students, according to a survey by Aachol Foundation, an organisation working on suicide prevention and mental health awareness.
The findings of the study, titled “Student Suicides: A Growing Crisis”, were presented today at a press conference in Dhaka.
The survey shows that suicides among students rose from 310 in 2024 to 403 in 2025. The data was compiled by reviewing reports published in 165 local and national media outlets.
Findings show about 28 percent of the cases were linked to depression, while 23 percent were attributed to resentment or emotional turmoil.
Among female students, 55 percent died by suicide due to depression and 62 percent due to resentment. In comparison, 45 percent of male students took their lives because of depression and 38 percent due to resentment. Other reported causes included love affairs (13 percent), family conflict (8 percent), mental instability (6 percent), and sexual violence (over 3 percent).
The data also show that schoolchildren accounted for the highest number of suicides, making up 47.4 percent of the total.
Aachol Foundation described this figure as particularly alarming, noting that school-going children are usually at the early stage of adolescence, a period marked by heightened emotional and psychological vulnerability.
At the college level, 92 students died by suicide, representing 22.8 percent of the total.
Universities reported 77 cases, or 19.1 percent, while madrasahs accounted for 44 cases, or 10.7 percent.
Among university students, 44 were from public universities, 17 from private universities, six from medical colleges, and 10 from the National University and affiliated colleges.
Public universities recorded a higher rate among male students, who made up 59 percent of the cases.
The highest number of suicides was reported in Dhaka division — 118 students, or 29.2 percent of the total. Chattogram division followed with 63 cases (15.6 percent), Barishal with 57 (14.4 percent), and Rajshahi with 50 (12 percent).
Aachol suggested that population density, urbanisation, competitive education systems, and family disconnection may contribute to the higher rates in Dhaka.
To address the crisis, the organisation urged authorities to introduce mental health services and screening in all educational institutions.
It recommended training teachers and peers to identify signs of stress, depression, or anxiety among students.
It also called for awareness campaigns in the media, posters, and social platforms to reduce stigma surrounding suicide and mental health.
In addition, it suggested psychosocial training for primary school teachers and regular mental health awareness programmes in schools to strengthen connections between students and parents.
