Suicide is the third most common cause of death among young adults worldwide. It is becoming more and more obvious that preventative measures must be implemented with cultural sensitivity and tailored to the regional characteristics of a country. Due to the sharp increase in suicide rates among young people, this age group is now the one most at risk in one-third of both developed and developing countries.

The youth and students in India are replacing even adults in the workplace and excelling in every way, demonstrating the country’s vast untapped potential. Many students from various parts of the country who are defying expectations for teenagers or college students make up this group of young people.

Three students in Kota, Rajasthan, who were preparing for admission exams allegedly, committed suicide. Student suicides are increasingly hidden. Due to a variety of career-related issues, a large number of these students are coping with trauma, depression, and anxiety.

India is the second most populous nation on earth. Additionally, it ranks third globally in the number of female suicides each year and has one of the highest rates of suicide among those who are between the ages of 15 and 29. In India, academic stress is the most well-known and frequently occurring factor in both male and female student suicides.

The girl student in the 10th grade who committed suicide in the Dausa district of Rajasthan is the latest instance of this. The student wrote in her suicide note that she was anxious about her upcoming board exam and that she lacked the tools to handle the pressure of scoring higher than a 95% on her exams.

Why do individuals think that suicide is the only option?

The only places that can offer a solution to this issue are Indian homes and educational institutions. The multifaceted socio-economic, cultural, and psychological environment and context present in higher education institutions strongly influence children in India who are required to work hard in school to ensure a secure future.

This environment and milieu also encourage drastic measures like suicide. When a person is at their lowest, it might seem as though their only option is to commit suicide because they are unable to comprehend their own emotions and thoughts.

Causes of student suicides in India

• Parents often encourage their children to follow in the footsteps of successful students by telling them about their high grades and prestigious job offers.
• The main factor behind student suicides in India is academic pressure. Throughout their academic careers, students are frequently under pressure to do well in class.
• Memorization and repetition are frequently emphasized in India’s educational system, while innovation and critical thinking are given less weight.
• If a student feels insufficient, ashamed of, or unsuccessful as a result of failing to meet expectations in the classroom, academic pressure may increase.
• Critical factors in student suicides include the environment of the university, especially one that emphasizes exams, the strain of studying, and competence.
• Due to this intensely competitive environment, students may experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.
• In order to maintain their studies, students may experience emotional neglect, identity problems, social isolation, and financial strain.
• Parents frequently pressure their kids to pursue careers in engineering, law, or medicine rather than allowing them to follow their interests and passions.
• Many young people in our country succumb to intense pressure regarding their academic goals and career choices, especially pressure from their families and teachers.
• The anxiety and stress of being forced to make a professional decision have been linked to numerous instances of student suicide in recent years.
• In India, socioeconomic factors like poverty, inequality, and social standing can have a big impact on a student’s ability to succeed in school.

What do the statistics on student suicides show?

• According to NCRB Statistics, 12,526 students committed suicide in 2020.
• According to NCRB statistics, 13,089 students took their own lives in 2020.
• Of the 10,732 children under the age of 18 who committed suicide as a result of “failure in exams,” 864 did so.
• Among those under the age of 18, “family issues” were the main cause of suicide.
• 13,089 students, of which 56.51 percent were men and 43.49 percent were women, committed suicide.
• According to the National Crime Record Bureau, a student committed suicide in 2020 every 42 minutes, or more than 34 students did so every day.
• A record number of suicides among students—13,089—or 8.4% of all fatalities—occurred in 2022.
• In the year 2023, 3 students each from IIT and NIT committed suicide.
• In separate incidents in Hyderabad and Telangana’s Nizamabad district, six Intermediate students—three of whom were girls—died by suicide. According to reports, they were extremely disappointed with how they did on their exams.
• In the two days following the release of the intermediate exam results in 2023, 10 students from the 11th and 12th grades commit suicide.
• After the Andhra Pradesh Board of Intermediate Examination released the results of class 11 and 12 exams in 2023, nine students committed suicide in the state. It is alleged that two additional students made suicide attempts.
• 22-year-old NEET aspirant takes their own life; this is the second death in one month

Indian government initiatives to prevent student suicide

Governmental programs

Program for National Mental Health (NMHP)

The policy’s objectives are to improve mental health services and increase awareness of mental health issues.

The national strategy for suicide prevention

The Indian government established the National Suicide Prevention Hotline in 2018 to provide 24-hour emotional support to people who are contemplating suicide. Callers should dial 080-46110007.

The Mental Healthcare Act

A legal framework for the country’s promotion and Defense of mental health was approved in 2017. The act includes provisions for improving mental health services and preventing suicide.

What Steps Can Be Taken to Stop Suicides?

• Suicide can be avoided by giving students access to mental health resources and services like counseling, support groups, and psychiatric care.
• Additionally, teachers, staff, and students must receive mental health first aid training in schools and universities.
• Open discussions about mental health and suicide must be encouraged in order to foster positive attitudes towards mental health and help-seeking.
• Educational institutions can help students thrive academically and emotionally by adopting a holistic approach to personality development. This approach can also play a significant part in preventing suicides.
• By offering a healthy outlet for stress and emotions as well as elevating self-esteem and confidence, sports can help prevent suicides in educational centers.
• To enhance students’ overall well-being and lessen stress, anxiety, and depression, socioeconomic issues like poverty, homelessness, and unemployment should be addressed.
• Student suicide risk can be decreased by enacting stricter cyberbullying policies and cracking down on online harassment.
• Adopting programs to prevent substance abuse can help lower the risk of student suicide.
• Suicide risk can be decreased by promoting healthy connections among students, providing relationship counseling services, and encouraging students to seek assistance.
• Giving students, and their families support can help lower the suicide risk.

Conclusion

Higher education student suicides in India have grown to be a serious social problem. A complicated web of issues and outside factors contribute to student suicides.

Suicide prevention programs need both macro and micro-level interventions. Additionally, thorough research on the effectiveness of various treatments is required. It will be simpler to strengthen the successful interventions as a result. There is support available. Counselors, psychologists, and even close friends are among those who are more than willing to assist them in coping with it.