Articles
Student Suicides - A Silent Epidemic
Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan | 28-Jun-2025
A recent article with the headline: “Suicide of Ashir Nanda in Kerala: A Wake-Up Call for Schools” by Fr Suresh Mathew OFM Cap is an eye-opener.
In his article he mentions that the recent suicide of 14-year-old Ashir Nanda, a Class 9 student at St. Dominic's Convent English Medium School in Sreekrishnapuram, Palakkad, Kerala has sent shockwaves through the parents and students. It also raises urgent questions about administrative policies, student mental health and the responsibility of educational institutions.
Other alarming suicide news:
- On September 15, 2024 a student at Maulana Azad Medical College in Delhi, a topper of India's toughest exam NEET, was tragically found dead in his room.
- On September 26, 2024 a post-graduate student from the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad was found hanging, allegedly due to stress.
- On September 27, 2024 a 19-year-old student of Computer Science Engineering at Gitam University in Telangana's Sangareddy district, died by suicide in her hostel room.
- A class 10 boy student in a school near Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu committed suicide on June 24, 2025. Four teachers, including the headmaster have been suspended. Study pressure and corporal punishment seem to be the major reasons.
- On May 16, 2025 a class 10 girl student near Virudhachalam, Tamil Nadu committed suicide for scoring low marks in her final exam.
- On May 28, 2025 a class 12 girl student hanged herself and died since she could not get high marks in her plus-two examination near Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu.
Incidents of student suicides in India have grown at an alarming annual rate, surpassing the population growth rate and overall suicide trends, according to a new report.
Based on the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, the "Student suicides: An epidemic sweeping India" report was launched on Wednesday at the Annual IC3 Conference and Expo 2024.
The IC3 Institute is a volunteer-based organisation that provides support to high schools around the world through guidance and training resources for their administrators, teachers and counsellors to help establish and maintain robust career and college counselling departments.
The report pointed out that while the overall suicide numbers increased by 2 per cent annually, student suicides cases surged by 4 per cent, despite a likely "under reporting" of student suicide cases.
As per the report, over the last decade, while the population of 0-24-year-olds reduced from 582 million to 581 million, the number of student suicides increased from 6,654 to 13,044.
According to the report, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh are identified as the states with the highest number of student suicides, together accounting for one-third of the national total. Southern states and union territories collectively contribute 29 per cent of these cases, while Rajasthan, known for its high-stakes academic environment, ranks 10th, highlighting the intense pressure associated with coaching hubs like Kota.
Major causes:
Academic strain is a key cause of student suicides in India. Throughout a student’s academic career, there is frequent pressure to perform well in the classroom. Parents and society have lofty aspirations for students’ academic performance, frequently equating it with future employment opportunities and social standing.
For students, the competitiveness in India’s educational system is a very stressful and difficult component. There is fierce rivalry for the few available places in top colleges and institutions, with a huge number of applicants. Students may experience significant levels of stress, anxiety, and depression as a result of this very competitive environment.
Ragging entails insults, doing errands for seniors, and numerous other intricate tasks. Many serious injury claims against the victims have resulted from it. Today ragging has made a comeback under the cover of cyberbullying. Children have been ridiculed and made a spectacle of through cyberbullying. This causes low self-esteem, which eventually causes various other issues to arise, including depression as well as other psychological disorders. This could ultimately result in their killing themselves.
Preventive Measures:
- Raise Awareness and Reduce Stigma: This can be achieved through school-wide campaigns, workshops, and open discussions, creating a safe space for students to share their experiences and concerns without fear of judgment.
- Strengthen Support Systems: Schools should employ guidance counsellors and mental health professionals who are accessible to students. Establishing peer support groups and mentoring programs can also provide students with trusted individuals to turn to in times of distress.
- Promote a Healthy Work-Life Balance: Schools can reduce excessive homework loads, encourage physical activity, and emphasize the importance of hobbies and interests outside of the classroom.
- Train Teachers and Staff: Offering training programs for teachers and staff on recognizing signs of distress, providing initial support, and referring students to appropriate resources can be instrumental in preventing suicides.
- Encourage Open Communication: Schools can implement initiatives like mental health awareness weeks, peer-to-peer mentoring, and anonymous reporting systems to facilitate open communication.
- Involve Parents and Guardians: Building a strong partnership between schools and parents can create a more holistic approach to student mental health.
- Monitor Online Activities: Schools could educate students about responsible internet usage and cyberbullying prevention. Additionally, parents could be vigilant about monitoring their children's online activities and engaging in open conversations about online experiences.
- Foster a Positive School Culture: Schools could promote inclusivity, kindness and empathy among students. Implementing anti-bullying programs and conflict resolution strategies can help create a safer and more supportive environment.
In this regard I wish to recall my school days from 1960-1972. I failed in three classes – standard 4, 8 and SSLC. Neither my family nor my teachers punished me for my academic failures. They were always supportive. Thay played a crucial role in shaping my life. I am grateful to their constructive contributions.
Finally, I wish to quote what Dr Jyoti Kapoor, a senior Psychiatrist, said on this issue: “Preventing the increasing rate of suicides among students is a complex challenge that requires the concerted efforts of schools, parents, communities, and mental health organizations. By raising awareness, reducing stigma and providing a comprehensive support system, we can work together to create a safer and more nurturing environment for our students.”
(The author is a freelance journalist who writes columns on social and religious issues. He can be reached at mlsatyan55@gmail.com. Views expressed are personal)
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