Effort intensified to prevent student suicides
The rising incidence of student suicides in India is a complex issue driven by academic pressure, social challenges, mental health issues, addiction, and insufficient institutional support. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2022, student suicides accounted for 7.6% of all suicides in the country, representing around 13,000 student deaths annually.
Key factors contributing to this mental health crisis include academic pressure and stress, social and family pressures, mental health stigma and lack of awareness, addiction issues, and insufficient mental health infrastructure and counselling.
The Indian government and institutions have taken several measures to address this crisis. The MANODARPAN initiative by the Ministry of Education provides psychological support, while the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) offers suicide prevention services and life skills training. Anti-drug campaigns, UGC advisories, and stress management and resilience workshops are also part of the response.
However, the numbers remain a significant concern, and experts emphasize the need for enhanced mental health support, particularly on university campuses, and increased awareness, early intervention, and destigmatization around mental illness.
The Supreme Court of India has decided to establish a National Task Force to investigate the causes of the increasing number of student suicides. This decision, both timely and commendable, addresses a pressing issue affecting India's future generations. The Supreme Court's observation that the number of student suicides has surpassed farmer suicides due to agrarian distress underscores the severity of the mental health crisis in India.
The crisis arises from a complex interaction of academic, social, and psychological factors, and the response combines government programs, institutional measures, and public health initiatives aimed at suicide prevention and mental wellness among students in India.
A change in the mindset of parents, society, government, and children themselves is required to improve the mental health of future generations. This change includes recognizing the importance of mental health, reducing societal pressure on success, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and providing adequate support systems for students.
The sheer consumerism of social media platforms, driven by highly addictive short videos or shorts, has severely impacted the mental health of crores of children. Multiple studies have warned of the harmful effects of such content, but the Central government has not taken any steps to regulate or discourage these features. The creation of echo chambers to boost user engagement on social media has also negatively affected the mental health of children.
The intense competition to secure admission into premium institutions further subjects children to severe pressure affecting their mental well-being. Lifestyle choices made by students, such as excessive use of social media, also contribute to their deteriorating mental health.
The Supreme Court case is not limited to the specific case of the IIT student but aims to address the broader issue of student mental health in India. The case expanded its scope to address the mental health of students across the country, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
In conclusion, addressing the mental health crisis among students in India requires a multi-faceted approach involving government programs, institutional measures, public health initiatives, and a change in societal attitudes. The establishment of the National Task Force by the Supreme Court is a significant step towards addressing this pressing issue.
- To alleviate the increasing instances of student suicides in India, it's crucial to address the intertwined issues of academic pressure, mental health, and health-and-wellness, which are exacerbated by factors like social and family pressures, mental health stigma, addiction issues, and insufficient mental health infrastructure.
- In regards to the mental health crisis among students, the indiscriminate consumerism of social media, characterized by highly addictive content and the creation of echo chambers, also plays a significant role in deteriorating mental health, alongside the intense competition for admission into premium institutions.
