The recent cases of youth suicides are appalling yet are also evidence of the unnecessary stress placed on students by parents and teachers ("Death of boy who fell 17 floors ruled a suicide"; last Saturday, and "Schools step up focus on students' mental health"; Oct 10).

While some stress can help motivate students, too much of it can be detrimental.

Students may develop a fear of having to face the music, such as caning and berating, when they fail to do well in their studies.

A tendency by parents and even students themselves to compare results may also have a negative impact, causing students to feel not up to par.

In an Asian society where "face" is seen to be important, those who perform badly in their studies may face pressure and humiliation.

Urgent action needs to be taken to stem the problem of youth suicide.

The Ministry of Education and schools should constantly remind their staff not to place unnecessary stress on students. They can also conduct talks to raise awareness of this issue, as well as train more counsellors and students who can step in to help those affected.

Parents and teachers should encourage their children, rather than chide them for performing poorly, and talk to them when they are stressed.

Students should learn not to internalise too much negativity regarding their poor academic performance, and instead, use it as motivation to perform better in future.

They also have to learn to seek help when they can no longer handle the stress, rather than suffer in silence.

Ultimately, there has to be an understanding that academic performance, though integral, does not form a complete part of life. Things such as values and character should take priority.

Lee Song Yang, 17,

first-year junior college student

CALLING YOUNG READERS: If you are 21 or below and want to air your opinion on any report or letter in The Straits Times, e-mail your letter to stforum@sph.com.sg, with the header "Voices of Youth". Do include your age, educationalschool level and contact details, and the headline of the report/letter you refer to.