Suicide in Schools: A Situation Heading Towards Crisis

In June 2015, in Tehran, 14-year-old Majid hanged himself after failing his final exams. In July 2015, an 18-year-old girl in West Azerbaijan jumped from her home's terrace after not passing the university entrance exam. In September 2015, 14-year-old Amir from Lorestan committed suicide with a gunshot due to poor math grades. In October 2015, 13-year-old Parinaz from Tehran, reportedly tired of life, jumped from a pedestrian bridge. From November 4 to 27, 2015, four other students ended their lives for similar reasons. In December 2015, three more students in Tehran and Yazd followed the same pattern. On February 22, 2016, a middle school student in Kermanshah hanged himself in a school restroom. In May 2016, three more students in Tehran and Mashhad committed suicide. By June 2016, two more students added to this tragic count. Ahmad Madadi, a former teacher and advocate for student and teacher rights, states that one of the significant problems in educational institutions is the lack of accurate statistics on suicides or their non-disclosure. He cites a report from a Tehran city council member indicating 111 cases of suicide among 8 to 13-year-olds between 2002 and 2004, and a 2012 study commissioned by the presidency showing that 10% of students in Tehran had attempted suicide. He emphasizes that while there are many unsuccessful suicide attempts, the number of reported suicides is alarming, with 13 students attempting suicide in a single high school in 2015-2016, only one of which was successful. Madadi notes that the rise in social media and information dissemination has led to increased awareness of these issues. He highlights a phenomenon called 'the tsunami of wristbands' in girls' schools, where students attempt suicide in ways that conceal their actions. The Iranian education system lacks preparedness to address these crises, and both families and educational authorities must recognize the changing lifestyles and relationships of youth. The director of the Social Damage Prevention Office in the Ministry of Education has identified concerns such as substance abuse, delinquency, and psychological disorders among students. Despite this, Madadi points out that the changing lifestyle of youth is not adequately addressed in the ministry's assessments. He stresses the need for educational institutions to teach life skills and problem-solving techniques, as many educators and administrators are not equipped to handle these issues. Statistics show that over 35% of Iranian students have tried smoking, and nearly 28% have consumed alcohol. In the past year, 9% of male students and 10.4% of female students attempted suicide, with the highest rates occurring in border provinces. These signs indicate a need for intervention strategies. The Minister of Health has reported high levels of depression in Iran, and the increase in suicide rates among children and adolescents is alarming.