Student suicides in India have become a silent crisis that demands urgent attention. Despite the gravity of the issue, it often remains overlooked. Let’s delve into the facts:
The magnitude of the Problem:
- In 2021, students accounted for 8% of total suicides in India, with 13,089 student victims.
- Between 2019 and 2021, over 35,000 students committed suicide in the country.
- 2019 witnessed the highest number of student suicides in the past 25 years, with 10,335 cases reported3.
- From 1995 to 2019, India lost more than 1.7 lakh students to suicide, with nearly 52% of these cases occurring in the past decade.
Common Reasons:
- Depression, mental health issues, and drug addiction are prevalent factors leading to student suicides.
- Coping mechanisms, support systems, and genetic predisposition play crucial roles in determining an individual’s vulnerability to mental illnesses and self-harm.
Statewise Trends:
- Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh account for over 44% of student suicides in a given year.
- Many students, especially those above the age of 10 or 12 years, struggle to find avenues to vent their anxiety, making stress management difficult.
Long-Term Patterns:
- Between 1995 and 1999, student suicides accounted for more than 5.2% on average, with 1995 being the worst year.
- The past decade has seen an upward trend, with student suicides consistently accounting for more than 6% of total suicides.
- In 2019, student suicides constituted 7.5% of overall suicides, marginally less than in 2017 (7.6%).
Addressing this crisis requires a holistic approach, including mental health awareness, support systems, and stress management strategies. Let us collectively work toward preventing further loss of young lives.
0 Comments