Student suicides in India are rising at an alarming rate, exceeding both overall suicide trends and population growth, according to a recent report. Released at the Annual IC3 Conference and Expo 2024, the report, based on National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, reveals that while overall suicides have increased by 2% annually, student suicides have surged by 4%, with potential underreporting.

The report highlights that student suicides have grown at twice the national average rate of 4% per year over the past two decades. In 2022, 53% of these suicides involved male students. From 2021 to 2022, male student suicides fell by 6%, while female student suicides rose by 7%.

Student suicides have outpaced population growth rates, with the number of such cases rising from 6,654 to 13,044 over the past decade, despite a slight decrease in the population of 0-24-year-olds.

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh have the highest suicide rates, collectively accounting for one-third of the national total. Southern states and union territories contribute 29% of these cases, while Rajasthan ranks 10th, reflecting the pressures of high-stakes academic environments like coaching hubs in Kota.

The report also notes that the NCRB data, based on FIRs, likely underrepresents the true number of student suicides due to social stigma and legal issues related to attempted suicide. The 2017 Mental Healthcare Act decriminalized suicide attempts for those with mental illness, but reporting practices remain influenced by past criminalization.

Ganesh Kohli, Founder of the IC3 Movement, emphasized the need to address mental health challenges in educational institutions and shift focus to student well-being rather than competition. The report also points to a significant rise in suicides over the past decade—50% for males and 61% for females—underlining the urgent need for improved counseling and support systems to address student pressures and aspirations effectively.

Source: PTI

Also read: NCERT chief: Parents’ obsession with English-medium schools is like suicide