Suicide has emerged as a major public health problem in Bangladesh. According to police records, 76,361 people died by suicide between 2020 and 2024—an average of more than 15,000 a year. That is more than three times the World Health Organization (WHO)’s estimated figure for Bangladesh in 2021.

Young people are at relatively higher risk of suicide. Family and relationship conflicts, psychological distress, depression, unemployment, academic pressure and examinations, among other social, economic and mental health factors, can increase the risk. Experts say reliable data collection, accessible mental health services and restrictions on access to lethal means such as pesticides are essential for suicide prevention.

These issues were discussed at a suicide prevention meeting held at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) in Dhaka on Sunday.