Iraqi rights officials call for psychological support for students during exam periods

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Salah Mahdi, head of the Diyala office of Iraq's High Commission for Human Rights, said family and academic pressure on students during exam periods can have severe psychological effects, sometimes driving young people to consider ending their lives. Mahdi noted that pressure from family and social blame intensifies after results are announced, particularly for students who face failure or disappointment. Human rights activist Dargham Ibrahim said a common factor in a significant share of recent student suicide attempts is family expectations of success, with some households treating exams as the sole measure of achievement. Ibrahim called on families to provide a balanced and supportive environment during and after the exam period. Experts said such cases remain limited compared with other causes of suicide but have shown an upward trend in recent years, urging stronger psychological support programs. Warnings about the impact of grades and expectations on student mental health surface regularly in Iraq during final exam seasons each year.