Testing times: More students dying by suicide than farmers
New Delhi, August 29
Student suicides in India have surpassed suicides by farmers. A report by IC3 Institute titled ‘Student Suicides: An Epidemic Sweeping India’ used National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data to highlight that the year 2021 saw 13,089 students dying by suicide as against 10,881 suicides by farmers in the country.
Over the last decade (2012-21), 97,571 cases of student suicides were recorded — an alarming 57% compared to the prior decade, 2002-11, the report said. While the overall suicide rate in India has increased by 2% annually, the rate of student suicides has surged by 4%. The report has suggested that the figures may be underreported.
The factors: Academic pressure, Ragging
The IC3 Institute report states that youngsters are reluctant to seek mental health support. Academic distress, forced career choice, ragging and bullying, caste discrimination and financial stress are a few reasons behind the suicides by students
Among the states, at 1,834, Maharashtra reported the highest number of student suicides followed by Madhya Pradesh (1,308), Tamil Nadu (1,246), Karnataka (855), and Odisha (834). ‘These five states together account for 46% of the total student suicide cases in the country. On the other hand, Uttar Pradesh, despite being the most populous state in the country, recorded a comparatively lower percentage of student suicide cases, constituting only 5.3% of the nationwide total. This is particularly significant considering that Uttar Pradesh’s population constitutes 17.3% of the country,” the report said.
The southern states and UTs, namely Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep reported 29% of all student suicides across the nation.
The report suggested that addressing students’ mental health issues at a nascent stage was critical. It urged that the schools must implement early intervention programmes to identify vulnerable students and provide timely support. “A key factor in preventing student suicides is helping young individuals discover purpose and meaning in their academic pursuits and personal lives. The role of school educators extends beyond academic instruction; they serve as mentors and emotional pillars,” the report stated.
