Student suicides in India have escalated at a distressing rate, outpacing both population growth and general suicide trends, according to a recent report titled “Student Suicides: An Epidemic Sweeping India.” The report, based on data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), reveals that while overall suicides in the country have risen by 2% annually, student suicides have surged by a staggering 4% each year. This report was launched during the Annual IC3 Conference and Expo 2024.
Over the past two decades, the rate of student suicides has doubled the national average, with male students making up 53% of these tragic cases in 2022. Notably, between 2021 and 2022, there was a 6% decrease in male student suicides, while female student suicides increased by 7%. This disturbing trend underscores the growing mental health crisis among students in India.
The report also highlights that the number of student suicides has grown from 6,654 in 2012 to 13,044 in 2022, despite the population of individuals aged 0 to 24 years slightly declining from 582 million to 581 million during the same period.
Southern states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh have reported the highest numbers of student suicides, accounting for one-third of the national total. Collectively, states and union territories in the southern region contribute to 29% of these cases. Rajasthan, home to prominent coaching hubs such as Kota, ranks 10th in the list.
The report emphasizes that the actual number of student suicides may be underreported due to factors like social stigma and the criminalisation of attempted and assisted suicide under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code. Additionally, there are significant data discrepancies, particularly in rural areas where reporting is less consistent compared to urban regions.
Ganesh Kohli, founder of the IC3 Movement, called for a systematic and comprehensive approach to career and college counselling within educational institutions to address the mental health needs of students.
The report concludes with a stark reminder: over the past decade, student suicides have increased by 50% among males and 61% among females, highlighting the urgent need for action to address this growing crisis.
(With inputs from news agency PTI)
