ANG SNOUL, CAMBODIA 18-year-old Sopheap Ork, a final year high school student, really wanted to get into medical school. She dedicated a lot of effort and money, which she borrowed from her family, to her dream. Together with several of her classmates, she enrolled in a preparatory program, which was concluded by an exam on the basis of which students are either accepted or not accepted to study.
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- Sopheap Ork 1
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- Sopheap Ork 2
After six months of intensive study and preparation, Sopheap began to suffer from extreme anxiety, exhausting stress, and fear of failure. She confided most of her feelings on her online blog.
On the day of the entrance exams, Sopheap received a hard blow. She did not pass the entrance exams. Even more depressing for her was that all her friends successfully got into the university. The thought that they would all move on and she would be left behind alone troubled her deeply.
Sopheap returned home to her parents and handed them an envelope with her saved money from student part-time jobs. Although it was not the full amount they had to pay for her to attend the preparatory program, she promised them she would return the rest. Her parents were not angry and promised her they would try to save the money again so she could take the exam next year.
However, her parents felt that she apparently disagreed with them. It was as if she did not even want to hear about any next year and silently went to her room. When they went to check on her after some time, they found her hanged. She was kneeling in partial suspension – she strangled herself by wrapping a hanging cord around her neck and then dropped to her knees.
Shockingly, she confided in her blog followers with the intent of suicide. Her last post read: “The owner of this account has lost all her friends and all her future.”
The story of Sopheap Ork reminds us of the seriousness of the mental burden that failures and pressure to perform can cause in young people. Despite difficulties, it is essential to keep faith in one’s abilities and perseverance. Support from family and surroundings is crucial and failure should not be seen as the end, but as an opportunity for further growth and effort. The path to success is study and hard work, not suicide. Don’t give up! This statement encourages us to face challenges with patience and determination because every obstacle can be overcome with enough support and perseverance.
MORE PHOTOS OF SOPHEAP:
If you’re thinking about suicide, please stop and recognize that your pain is not permanent, but this step would be. It may feel like there’s no other way, but there is hope, even if it’s hard to see right now. Your feelings are temporary, and with help, they can pass.
Talking about what you're going through might feel difficult, but it’s the first step toward healing. Don’t turn away from the people who want to support you. Life can offer more than what you're feeling right now, and the pain doesn't have to last forever. You deserve help, and it’s available.
If you need immediate help, please contact a helpline.
