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74% of University Admission Candidates in Bangladesh Suffer from Depression, Study Finds

University Student

A recent study published in the international multidisciplinary Q1 journal PLOS ONE has found that 74% of university admission candidates in Bangladesh suffer from depression. Conducted by a research team led by Professor Dr. Jamal Uddin from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), the study surveyed around 5,000 students from different divisional cities who participated in the 2021–22 admission process.

The research categorizes depression levels into three groups: 26% of students experience moderate depression, another 26% suffer from severe depression, and 22% fall into the extreme depression category.

Several key factors contribute to increased depression among students, including gender, experiences of blackmail, family issues, serious illness, COVID-19 infection, academic performance, and pre-existing mental health conditions. However, factors like self-confidence in exam preparation, regular physical exercise, study habits, and religious practices have been found to reduce depression risks.

One of the study’s co-researchers, Md. Abu Bakar Siddique, highlighted that female students are twice as likely to experience severe depression compared to male students. Additionally, students who have faced recent blackmail or family problems are two to three times more vulnerable to depression. Interestingly, students with a GPA-5 in their HSC exams are also 1.5 times more prone to depression.

The study emphasizes the importance of fostering a supportive family environment, promoting physical exercise, and encouraging positive social interactions to improve students’ mental well-being. Researchers stress that addressing mental health should be a priority, alongside academic success, to build a physically and mentally strong future generation.

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