At least 446 students of secondary and higher secondary levels in the country killed themselves in 2022, according to the latest study by Aachol Foundation revealed on Friday.
Among them, 340 were school students and 106 college students. Besides, 85 university and 54 madrasa students killed themselves last year.
The study is based on the reports of more than 150 national and local newspapers, and online portals.
Dhaka division saw the highest figure — 23.77 per cent —of school and college students ending their lives.
It was followed by Chattogram division (17.27 per cent) and Rajshahi (16.81 per cent), Khulna (14.13 per cent), Rangpur (8.74 per cent), Barishal (8.53 per cent), Mymensingh (6.27 per cent), and Sylhet (4.48 per cent).
A gender analysis of the suicide data found that girls showed more suicidal tendencies than boys.
Among school students who committed suicide, 63.90 per cent were girls and 36.1 per cent were boys. While of college students, 59.44 per cent were girls and 40.56 per cent were boys.
School and college students, who committed suicide, faced various issues, including being emotionally hurt (27.36 per cent), troubled romantic attachment (23.32 per cent), family conflict (3.14 per cent), depression (2.01 per cent), psychological problems (1.79 per cent), financial problems (1.79 per cent), harassment (1.79 per cent), and rape or sexual harassment (1.34 per cent).
Aachol Foundation General Secretary Samira Akter Siyam said the suicide rate is highest among students aged 13 to 19 years.
From an early age, mental health and emotion management techniques should be taught in families, social settings and educational institutions, she added.
