I read about the double tragedy of a straight ‘A’s student committing suicide after hours of receiving her O level results because she had 2 ‘B’s, and of her heart-broken mother following suit 3 months later.
The pressure seems to be getting worse and worse for our children. On all fronts.
![]() |
Just last week, some mums were talking about how a student from a top school had committed suicide.
We were very heavy-hearted and in an attempt to make sense of the situation, generalisations started surfacing.
“Grades are not everything. Better not put our kids in top schools. So stressful. Neighbourhood schools better.”
“But in mixed school will have BGR problems. Also headache.”
The common reasons for suicide in our children and youths seem to be disappointing parents with poor grades, family problems and relationship/bullying issues.
As we were quiet and letting it sink in, a friend shared something even more disturbing.
Her daughter was in the same school as the child who committed suicide and she was very concerned about how she has been affected. She raised the issue with her daughter and this was the reply.
“I’m ok mum. Like that lor. She committed suicide.”
Have our young people been numbed?
In this rush of life, of me, myself and I, of gadgets in our faces. Have we lost our connectedness with one another?
As our country turns 50, we have a lot to ponder.
Yes, our country is prosperous.
Yes, we have a lot to be thankful for.
But dig deeper. What do we find inside ourselves? Inside our youths?
We need to put a stop to the endless and mindless pursuit of more. Of one-upmanship. When will it end?
We need to come back to a life of contentment.
Life Lesson #8: Teach our children compassion by little actions
Life Lesson #9: What have we done to our children
Life Lesson #10: Why we went on holiday just before the PSLE
Life Lesson #11: What must kids do for us to stop pushing them over the edge
Life Lesson #13: Confronting death teaches you about life
Life Lesson #14: To measure our lives in love
Life Lesson #15: The day they fly
Life Lesson #16: Do our kids even know we love them
Life Lesson #17: What are we worth, mums
Life Lesson #18: What do you do when you get sick of parenting
Life Lesson #19: The tragedy of our society
Life Lesson #20: Will you teach your girls to find a rich husband
Life Lesson #21: Are we slowly killing ourselves
Life Lesson #22: What does it take to keep a marriage going
Yup read the news too, it's v sad indeed
N I agree w u abt the lack of empathy n being so indifferent abt matters is really scary
It's when such things happen that reminds us to reflect n take stock of what we have to be contented n thankful 🙂
Jia you!
Yes, it was deeply saddening news. I hope it serves as a wake-up call to mothers who are currently walking down this path of destruction. Poor, poor child.
Yes, so worrisome. Are we raising an overly stressed and apathetic generation?
So sad that sometimes it's too late to regret. Yes, there's many many more children who are put through such unnecessary extreme pressure. We have to change as a society. Many parents feel 'forced' to keep up because of everyone else. Rat race. Sigh.
I am looking for this article to share it with a troubled mother. Can anyone tell me which date and source was the news as I was unable to find it online ?
Hi May,
Here's the link to the article published in The New Paper online on 27 July 2015. I know tnp tends to sensationalise stories, but this is terribly tragic. Hope more parents take heed not to push their kids to the brink.
http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore-news/straight-student-commits-suicide-over-o-level-results-mum-takes-her-own-life
Oh dear, can't seem to attach the link here. I'll try to do it over at mummywee Facebook page.