Number of students committing suicide zeros ; Farahani tells ILNA

"Mohammadreza Davoudabadi Farahani", Cultural and Student Deputy of Iran’s Health and Medical Education Ministry, in an interview with ILNA, regarding psychological health of the students, told: "The number of those committed suicide in year 1393 reached 8 successful and 60 unsuccessful attempts. At that time, the situation seemed to be concerning. Through our campaigns in educating more than 2 thousands of the students, under the Health Aid program, we achieve noticable results."

"For becoming familiar and getting close to the students’ psychological condition of the students we conducted new tests to further identify their circumstances. Due to the results of the tests we figured out that 20% of the students before entering the university or dormitories are facing psychological problems. But we should also point that the test are conducted in face to face situations" he continued.

Farahani, regarding the reduction or increase of the depression and also the suicide statistics in student dormitories, added: "Unfortunately, regarding depression, we didn't have any reduction because 70% of the country’s students are immigrating to pursue their education. Factors like distance from family, pressure from education, economic situation, the university environment and the economic situation usually lead to depression in the students."

Pointing to the suicide statistics in the previous year, the top Health Ministry official also underlined: "Last year, the number of committed suicide zeroed. Although, last year we had one successful suicide, which was outside the university environment."

Regarding the dormitories atmosphere’s pressure on psychological health of the students, Farhani emphasized: "Another reason for having depressed students can be attributed to the situation of the dormitories’ building. We can’t afford reconstruct the old buildings. But fortunately, in budget plan of the year ahead, about 20 billion tomans is allocated for reconstructing and refurnishing these buildings. We hope we can help improve the current situation of the dormitories."

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