When grades become too heavy to carry

In Bangladesh, a student's future often rests on the outcome of a single exam. Coaching classes and parental expectations weigh heavily on young minds, but many suffer in silence. Warning signs are evident, with at least ten students taking their own lives within six days of this year's secondary school results, and over 400 reported suicides in 2025 alone. However, the true number may be even higher, as these statistics rely on media coverage.

The crisis is further compounded by a shortage of mental health support. An estimated 12.6 percent of Bangladeshi children experience mental health issues, yet only a fraction receive proper care. Stigma surrounding mental health issues keeps many silent, with sadness often dismissed as laziness, anxiety as weakness, and pre-exam sleeplessness as something children must simply endure.

Teachers could play a crucial role in identifying and assisting at-risk students. In response, Bangladesh is piloting a school-based mental health and suicide prevention programme in ten districts, impacting around 20,000 students and training 488 educators. The ultimate goal is to train one teacher in each secondary school to identify distress, offer non-judgmental support, and connect students with necessary resources.

Beyond teacher training, schools should collaborate with local health centres, involve parents and coaching centers in discussions about exam-related stress, and remind students that their value extends far beyond academic achievements. With the right support, one attentive teacher, one empathetic conversation, and one timely referral could make a profound difference in a young person's life.