Jhenaidah district recorded 189 suicide deaths in the first six months of 2026, according to the human rights organization RDC. Of these, 92 were men and 97 were women. RDC Executive Director Md Abdur Rahman disclosed the figures at a press conference Saturday morning at the organization’s Mahespur office. He said 189 people died by suicide between January and June 2026, a figure confirmed by cross-referencing records from the civil surgeon’s office, the deputy commissioner’s office, and other sources.
The press conference noted that Jhenaidah Sadar upazila recorded the highest number of cases over the six-month period, with 59 deaths — 30 men and 29 women. Shailkupa upazila ranked second with 44 cases (18 men, 26 women), followed by Harinakunda with 25 (10 men, 15 women). Kotchandpur ranked fourth with 21 cases (14 men, 7 women), while Kaliganj and Mahespur tied for fifth and sixth place with 20 cases each (12 men, 8 women).
The Jhenaidah district administration has continued various suicide-prevention initiatives. Even so, this year’s toll is 64 higher than the same period last year, when 125 cases were recorded between January and June 2025 — 57 men and 68 women.
Jhenaidah Civil Surgeon Dr Md Kamruzzaman said residents of the district tend to be highly emotional, face geographic isolation, and often lack coping resilience. He said addressing the problem requires greater social awareness, advocacy meetings with journalists on suicide prevention, expanded counseling services, and dialogue with parents of young people.
RDC Executive Director Md Abdur Rahman said social awareness must be strengthened to prevent suicide, calling for coordinated field-level programs involving government and non-government organizations. He urged everyone to come forward in the effort to prevent suicide.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact Kaan Pete Roi at +880 9612-119911 or the national emergency helpline at 999.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report