PETALING JAYA, Nov 26 ­— Psychologists say constant negative feedback and stress are among the reasons students commit suicide.

They also stressed the need for a proper support system so that troubled youngsters would have someone to turn to.

Universiti Malaya’s Education Psychology and Counselling Department Assoc Prof Dr Mariani Md Nor said suicide was common among those who did not enjoy good moral support.

“This even applies to adults. When we don’t have moral support and constantly receive negative feedback resulting in (loss of) friends, it will cause depression,” she said.

“It is always good to seek help.”

She said it was possible that Hon Ye believed he could have answered the examination questions well but when he could not do so, it upset him.

“He did not voice it out to his family and friends and perhaps he took the shortcut by committing suicide,” she said.

“When depression kicks in and there is no support or one does not voice it out, the person seeking help is unable to share their views and obtain feedback. This is when they rather face death.”

Ann Ding Choong Ai, a community counsellor, said students were stressed from the pressure they faced, especially during examinations.

“This is more evident among top scorers who may feel pressured to succeed and to keep up with the high expectations set by those around him or her,” Ding said.

“The pressure Hon Ye may have faced during examinations could have made him more tensed and react to minor mistakes in extreme ways.”

Counsellor and senior lecturer Anasuya Jegathevi Jegathesan said there were many other factors besides exam stress that could push one to end his or her life.

“It could be mental illness or chemical imbalances in the brain,” she said. 

“It may have been an accidental death, where one may not have the intention to die but was trying to make a statement instead. This is evident among teenagers who hope someone will come and save them in time but unfortunately it does not happen.”

She also suggested that other forms of stress could have contributed Hon Ye’s death.

“He could have been dealing with bullying, family pressure or stress at school that have accumulated for a long time,” she said.

“Suicide is not caused by one factor but an accumulation of several factors leading one taking his or her own life.”