Greece faces teen suicide surge amid exam pressure

A second 17‑year‑old girl died after falling from a six‑storey rooftop in the Athens suburb of Ilioupoli, joining a 16‑year‑old who died weeks earlier in the same suspected suicide pact. Police say the teenagers locked the rooftop door and a note found on one girl cited academic pressure as a motive. The incidents have intensified scrutiny of Greece’s demanding Panhellenic university entrance examinations, which can determine a student’s future.

The tragedies have highlighted a broader mental‑health crisis among Greek youth: suicide attempts and self‑harm have risen 31.6 % over five years, making suicide the third leading cause of death for 15‑29‑year‑olds. Critics point to inadequate public mental‑health services, a shortage of child psychiatrists, and recent policies such as banning social‑media use for under‑15s. The events have sparked calls for systemic reforms to address the pressures facing teenagers.