Student Suicides in India
Student suicides and in general, the declining mental health of India’s students is becoming a major problem.
The statistics are alarming, to say the least.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the number of student suicides in India has been increasing in the last five years. In 2017, there were 9,905 student suicides, in 2018, there were 10,159, in 2019, there were 10,335, in 2020, there were 12,526, and in 2021, there were 13,089. In 2022, there were 13,465 student suicides, and in 2023, there have been 14,250 student suicides as of August 2023.
This is almost 44% higher compared to the 2017 numbers!
The states with the highest number of student suicides in 2021 were Maharashtra (1834), Madhya Pradesh (1308), and Tamil Nadu (1246). These are not numbers to be proud of in any way.
It is important to understand the reasons behind these suicides and to take steps to prevent them.
The majority of student suicides are committed by male students and the most common reason cited for student suicides is failure in exams. Other reasons for student suicides include family problems, relationship problems, financial problems, and mental health problems.
For anybody who needs counseling support in India, there are also many support resources available, including suicide prevention helplines across many towns & cities.
A few important steps to control this:
— Parents should make sure that there is not too much pressure on students to perform well in exams. They have to be encouraged definitely, but pushing them too hard can break them.
— Schools and teachers should identify and provide more support to students who are struggling academically or emotionally. This seems to be a big missing component these days.
— Raising awareness among students about mental health problems and the importance of seeking help. I know many volunteers of organizations like the Isha Foundation and Art of Living Foundation have been conducting free yoga and meditation sessions for students for several years. The Government itself should actively promote these.
— Media should play their role responsibly and not glorify any student who commits suicide. This is known to lead to copycat suicides, among other emotionally vulnerable students.
As a nation, every citizen has to stand with the state and central governments in curbing this menace. After all, our Children are the future. By silently watching and not doing anything, we are in a way aiding this mental health pandemic called suicide. Please spread the word.
