Student suicides dip slightly but mental health crisis deepens, shows NCRB data
NEW DELHI: Student suicides accounted for 7.6% of all suicide cases reported in India in 2022, a marginal decline from 8.0% in 2021 and 8.2% in 2020, according to the Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) report published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
But the dip offers little comfort as the data underscores a deepening mental health crisis, with states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh alone contributing nearly one-third of these tragedies.
Experts and lawmakers warn that rising academic pressure, career uncertainty, loneliness, violence, substance abuse, and lack of family support are fuelling this alarming trend. Concerns are particularly acute in coaching hubs such as Kota, Rajasthan, where extreme competition and gruelling schedules have been linked to a spate of student deaths.
The issue figured prominently in Parliament recently, with members demanding a commission to probe student suicides in Kota and elite institutions.
The government, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Monday, admitted that despite educational reforms and mental health initiatives, 'extreme academic pressure' continues to push vulnerable students to the brink. Minister of state for education Sukanta Majumdar said multi-pronged measures were being rolled out to address the crisis, including psychological support for students, teachers, and families.
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The ministry of education's flagship programme, MANODARPAN, has reached lakhs of students through counselling helplines and live interactive sessions, while the ministry of health and family welfare's district mental health programme (DMHP) covers 767 districts with suicide prevention services and life skills training in schools and colleges.
Recognising the role of addiction as an emerging issue among youth, the Centre has intensified anti-drug campaigns alongside mental health outreach. UGC has issued advisories to higher education institutions to prioritise physical fitness, sports, student welfare, and emotional well-being. Institutions like IIT-Madras, IIT-Delhi, and IIT-Guwahati have begun conducting workshops on stress management and resilience under the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme.
In January 2024, the government also issued guidelines to regulate private coaching institutes, asking states to ensure mental health support, end batch segregation, and closely monitor student welfare.
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