Recent tragedies reported in the Bangladeshi media have raised troubling questions about emotional resilience in a rapidly changing society. Several young people and students as well as professionals have taken their own lives following emotional crises linked to broken relationships, marital disputes or personal distress. Each such incident briefly shocks public opinion before fading from attention. Yet when these cases occur repeatedly, they point to a deeper societal concern.

The Scale of the Problem

According to the Aachol Foundation, 403 students died by suicide in Bangladesh in 2025, compared with 310 cases the previous year. Police estimates suggest that more than 13,000 people died by suicide that year, averaging around 40 deaths every day. Behind these numbers lie complex human stories of emotional distress, family conflict and relationship breakdowns-factors that increasingly appear in media reports surrounding such tragedies. Mental health professionals note that many individuals who struggle with emotional crises often lack access to counselling or supportive environments where personal difficulties can be openly discussed. In many communities, emotional distress remains hidden behind social stigma, preventing individuals from seeking timely assistance.

A Society Transforming Rapidly

Bangladesh is currently experiencing profound social transformation. Urbanisation is expanding, access to higher education has widened and economic mobility is gradually improving. At the same time, smartphones and digital connectivity have become deeply embedded in daily life. Within a single generation, the way people communicate, build relationships and interpret the world has changed dramatically. Young people today enjoy far greater personal autonomy than their parents did. Friendships and relationships increasingly develop through independent choices, often mediated through digital platforms. These developments represent genuine progress. The freedom to make personal decisions is an essential feature of modern societies. Yet rapid change also introduces new pressures. Social expectations evolve faster than emotional preparation, leaving many individuals navigating complex personal situations without the resilience needed to manage disappointment, rejection or uncertainty.

A Global Challenge

This challenge is not unique to Bangladesh. Suicide has become a significant global public health issue. The World Health Organisation estimates that around 727,000 people die by suicide each year worldwide, making it one of the leading causes of death among individuals aged between 15 and 29. A substantial proportion of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries where societies are undergoing rapid social and economic change, but mental health services remain limited. Experiences such as rejection, personal conflict and relationship breakdown have always been part of human life.

The Digital Pressure

The digital environment may partly explain this shift. Social media has transformed how relationships form and how disagreements unfold. Personal conflicts that once remained private can now quickly become visible to wider audiences. Continuous connectivity also intensifies emotional reactions, allowing misunderstandings to spread rapidly. Equally important is the culture of comparison fostered by digital platforms. Young people are constantly exposed to carefully curated portrayals of success, happiness and seemingly perfect relationships. These images rarely reflect the complexities and struggle that accompany real life. Yet they shape expectations about how life should unfold. When personal experiences fail to match these idealised portrayals, disappointment, insecurity and self-doubt can easily arise.

The Paradox of Modernisation

This does not necessarily suggest that younger generations are weaker than their predecessors. Rather, it reflects the speed at which societies are changing. Personal freedom has expanded rapidly, while the emotional frameworks that once helped individuals navigate life's difficulties have evolved more slowly. Earlier generations often lived within stronger social structures in which families and communities played a guiding role in personal decisions. Although such structures sometimes limited individual autonomy, they also provided emotional support during periods of hardship. Today individuals enjoy greater independence, but they frequently confront emotional challenges without the same protective buffers. This situation reflects what may be described as the paradox of modernisation: as personal freedom expands, emotional resilience does not always develop at the same rate.

Building Emotional Resilience

Addressing this imbalance requires thoughtful responses rather than alarm or blame.

First, emotional resilience should become a structured component of education. Schools and universities can incorporate programmes that help students understand stress, regulate emotions and develop constructive strategies for coping with setbacks.

Second, counselling and mental health services need to become more accessible within educational institutions and communities. Many young people hesitate to seek help due to stigma or the absence of confidential support systems.

Third, society should promote a more balanced understanding of success and failure. Achievement is widely celebrated, yet the role of struggle and recovery in personal growth receives far less attention. Recognising failure as part of learning can help individuals develop healthier expectations.

Fourth, greater awareness of responsible digital behaviour is essential. Social media and digital platforms offer immense opportunities for communication and knowledge sharing, but their use must be balanced and thoughtful to prevent emotional strain.

Freedom Must Be Matched with Inner Strength

Bangladesh's journey toward modernisation is both necessary and inevitable. Economic growth, technological progress and expanding personal freedom are reshaping the country's social landscape. Yet progress cannot be measured solely through these. The resilience of individuals is equally important for the long-term health of a society. Modernisation must therefore be accompanied by the cultivation of emotional strength that enables individuals not only to succeed but also to endure setbacks, recover from disappointment and move forward with confidence.

Major General (Retd) Md Nazrul Islam is a former executive chairman of BEPZA, a retired Major General of the Bangladesh Army, and a PhD researcher on technology, workforce transformation, and industrial competitiveness.