Kirkuk records 16 student suicide cases in 2025 Q1

Shafaq News – Kirkuk

A 17-year-old student from al-Sumoud village in southern Kirkuk ended his life on Tuesday, just hours after failing Iraq’s national final exams—another alarming case in the province’s deepening youth suicide crisis.

A medical source told Shafaq News that a high school senior from Daquq district was found hanged in his room on Tuesday, after locking himself in upon learning he had failed his final exams, adding that signs of acute emotional distress had been evident.

Health data, obtained by Shafaq News, recorded at least 16 suicides in Kirkuk during the first half of this year—most involving adolescents—linked to academic pressure, family disputes, untreated psychological conditions, and financial instability.

Speaking to our agency, human rights advocate Hussein Ahmed warned that the tragedy reflects systemic negligence, arguing that students face overwhelming pressure with no institutional safety net, especially in schools lacking basic mental health resources.

Ahmed urged immediate intervention from the government and the Education Ministry, advocating for student outreach programs, mental health awareness, and the integration of counseling services within the public school system.