May God have mercy on our daughter and medical student "Rawda" and forgive her; her departure is not just a passing event, but a moment of reflection reminding us all that life is first and foremost a precious trust in the hands of its owners, and secondly a community and institutional responsibility. Recalling the words of Al-Mutanabbi: "It is enough of an ailment to see death as a healer," we find ourselves facing deep questions about the pressures that might make ending suffering seem like a tempting idea.
Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about the medical study environment at the Jordanian University and its hospital, portrayed by some within the context of "bullying or neglect," but an objective view affirms that our college and teaching hospital are comparable to the finest educational institutions worldwide. Practicing medicine is inherently stressful, and medical students often possess "perfection-seeking" personalities, which heightens their psychological anxiety and frustration.
What some might view as tragic hours of shifts and duties is in fact part of the tax for global medical excellence; indeed, the working hours of our students might be less than the global average, with colleagues and professors who go to great lengths in teaching and mentoring. And no proof of the global nature of this challenge is more dire than the fact that the United States loses annually 250 doctors to suicide, proving that the tragedy is a challenge faced by the global medical community and not due to shortcomings in any specific local environment.
Adding to the burden of this reality, studies indicate that suicide has become the leading cause of death globally among the young age group (15 to 35 years), the same age group to which our late daughter belonged. The World Health Organization informs us that about a million people end their lives annually, with most sending signals or distress messages two weeks before taking that step. In the case of our daughter Rawda, the cry was clear on "Facebook," but, regrettably, it only garnered 24 likes and two shares; here lies a great social responsibility. If the surrounding community had moved with a spirit of vigilance, perhaps the scales would have shifted.
We must realize that for every suicide case, there are 10 to 20 attempts, and that while antidepressants—despite their effectiveness—have not significantly reduced these rates globally, which brings us back to square one: "human embrace". Caution should also be exercised concerning excessive unregulated talk about suicide, as studies indicate that this could raise the rates by around 15% due to imitation.
In conclusion, the Jordanian University will remain a venerable institution that sanctifies human life, and its hospital will continue to be an educational environment that adheres to global standards despite the pressures. Protecting our children is a shared responsibility, and we pray to God for everyone's safety and a prosperous life in an environment filled with warmth and objectivity.
