The quiet village of Khidirpur in Mithamoin upazila woke up to devastating news on Tuesday morning.
Rubina Aktar, a 30-year-old housewife, reportedly took her own life by hanging with a scarf in her father-in-law’s house. Her death has cast a shadow over the community and brought attention to an alarming national crisis.
Rubina, married to Sharif Mia, had been struggling with familial disputes for an extended period, according to locals and police.
After a brief stay at her father’s house, she returned to her father-in-law’s home, only to meet this tragic end. Her body was recovered by family members, who rushed her to Mithamoin Upazila Health Complex, where physicians declared her dead upon arrival.
The police, informed of the incident, sent Rubina’s body to Kishoreganj Adhunik Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy.
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Officer-in-charge Shafiul Alam of the relevant police station confirmed that further actions would be taken following the autopsy report. While the immediate cause of Rubina’s actions remains unclear, her death echoes a larger issue that continues to plague the nation.
A National Crisis in Numbers
Every year, an estimated 10,000 to 14,000 people in Bangladesh take their own lives, making suicide the second leading cause of death after road accidents. Among adolescents aged 13-17, suicide rates are particularly alarming.
A study published last year revealed that 4.4% of boys and 5.8% of girls in this age group succumb to this fate.
The factors driving these tragedies are multifaceted. Depression often serves as the root cause, exacerbated by failed romantic relationships, academic pressure, and parental alienation.
Increasingly, excessive use of digital devices and the negative impact of social media contribute to feelings of isolation and despair.
The Call for Action
On June 12 last year, a virtual roundtable titled "Progress, Challenges, and Actions to Achieve Our National Targets to Reduce Deaths by Suicide" brought together experts and policymakers to address this pressing issue. Speakers emphasized the urgent need for both public and private sectors to collaborate in defining and implementing strategies for suicide prevention.
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A key highlight of the discussion was Bangladesh’s Mental Health Policy, enacted in 2022. Section 7.13 of the policy specifically addresses suicidal tendencies and aims to reduce associated risks.
Experts called for comprehensive mental health support systems, including accessible counseling services and awareness campaigns, to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
Breaking the Silence
Rubina’s tragic death underscores the critical need for collective action. Community members, educators, and policymakers must work together to foster a culture of empathy and support, locals said.
Raising awareness about mental health, addressing root causes and ensuring timely interventions can save lives and prevent future tragedies.
As Bangladesh continues to struggle with the growing mental health crisis, stories like Rubina’s serve as poignant reminders of the work that remains. Her loss is not just a personal tragedy for her family but a call to action for an entire nation, according to the villagers.