The College of Humanities Education Organizes Various Activities to Address the Phenomenon of Suicide

Departments of the College of Education for Humanities at Samarra University organized scientific and awareness activities specialized to address the phenomenon of suicide from different angles, in line with the disciplines of the departments and their faculty.

The organizers of the activities aimed to present the history of the phenomenon of suicide from ancient times to the modern era, in addition to describing the spatial variation of the phenomenon from a geographical perspective, explaining the phenomenon from psychological, human, and social aspects, and clarifying its religious position, as well as highlighting the role of English and Arabic literature in addressing it, viewing it as part of human issues.

Historically, scholars from the History Department pointed to the view of some civilizations of suicide as an act of bravery or a means of protest, while other civilizations considered it a social crime demanding punishment, leading up to modern factors that influence the prevalence of the phenomenon, such as digital suicide, drugs, blackmail, and the impact of artificial intelligence on suicidal behaviors among youth.

Geographically, academics from the Geography Department focused on the geographical approach to studying the phenomenon of suicide, analyzing the spatial variation in its rates between urban and rural environments, and their differences across regions according to economic, social, and cultural conditions.

Religiously, instructors from the Department of Quranic Studies and Islamic Education explained the Islamic stance on suicide, emphasizing that Islam endows human life with great care, and presenting Islam’s position on suicide, indicating its sacred prohibition as it constitutes a violation of the life given by God Almighty, citing the verses: “And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful,” and, “And do not throw yourselves with your own hands into destruction.”

Moreover, specialists in English noted that English literature presents this phenomenon within multiple psychological, intellectual, and social contexts, reflecting inner conflicts, pressures of isolation, and sense of meaninglessness, confirming that this presentation is a critical reading of the causes and consequences of the phenomenon, not a justification for it, thereby enhancing students’ awareness and supporting humanitarian values that advocate for life.

Additionally, the Arabic-language professors clarified the presence of the suicide phenomenon in Arabic poetry and prose as a complex humanitarian and cultural issue, appearing within individual experiences expressed by some poets and writers about oppression, despair, alienation, and political and social defeats, alongside psychological crises.

The activities in the College of Education for Humanities concluded with a set of recommendations to address and limit the phenomenon, the most prominent of which include: cultivating a culture of dialogue and support within the university community, cooperating with counseling units, reducing smartphone usage, seeking help in the face of blackmail, not fearing to confront social pressures, and understanding the role of family, the university, and society in supporting students, strengthening the culture of psychological support, and upholding the values of compassion and solidarity; this contributes to protecting human life.

It also called for continuing to organize scientific and awareness activities that connect literary knowledge with contemporary real-world issues and align with ministerial directives aimed at enhancing academic and humane awareness.