A 12-year-old recently ended his life in yet another possibly avoidable suicide.

By Jaslyn Ng

As a mother, I felt compelled to write this post.


This week is the start of the PSLE.


On Wednesday, a close friend who works in a hospital told me a Primary 6 student had committed suicide at home.


Can you imagine the fear, despair as well as hopelessness the child must have felt before he chose to end his life?


When I heard about the tragic news, I teared up uncontrollably.


I just couldn't imagine the pain, guilt and devastation the parents would have to go through.


The family's world is now forever split into before and after.


PSLE is just a milestone.


It should never be “Do Well, or Die.”


In penning this, my intention is not to fault or blame any particular individual.


As a fellow Singaporean, I had gone through PSLE myself twice.


The first time, as a student taking the PSLE almost 30 years ago.


The second time, as a mother who went through PSLE last year with my daughter.


She didn't fare as well as expected.


And yet, today she is thriving in secondary school now.


I am proud to say that as a mother, she blossoms in the right environment, and gets to learn at her own pace.


Recently she has been coming home cheerfully exclaiming:


"Mummy, I topped the class!"


In 2024 alone, we lost 22 children aged 10–19 to suicide.


We don’t know how many were due to exam stress.


But one thing is certain: Mental Stress is a major contributor.


It can come from within, fellow peers or even parents.


So this is my plea to every parent:


Please believe your child is trying his/her best.


Your version of “pressure that made you stronger” could be the weight that breaks him/her.


Parents always say that our love for children is unconditional.


Let this love be truly heard and felt by them - it will always be there no matter what they score in their exams.


If this post stops just one child from believing there’s no way out, it was not for naught.


This first appeared as a post on the LinkedIn page of Jaslyn Ng on 15 August 2025. Do join in the discussion over there if you have thoughts to share.


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