Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu among states with highest number of student suicides: Report (Representative)
New Delhi:
According to a new report, the number of suicides among students in India is increasing at an alarming rate every year, outpacing population growth and overall suicide trends.
Based on data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the report ‘Student suicides: An epidemic sweeping India’ was launched at the IC3 annual conference and expo 2024 on Wednesday.
The report noted that while the total number of suicides increased by 2 percent annually, the number of suicides among students increased by 4 percent, despite a likely “underreporting” of student suicides. “Over the past two decades, the number of suicides among students has increased at an alarming annual rate of 4 percent, double the national average. In 2022, male students accounted for 53 pc (percent) of the total number of suicides among students. Between 2021 and 2022, the number of suicides among male students decreased by 6 percent, while the number of suicides among female students increased by 7 percent,” according to the report, which was compiled by the IC3 Institute.
“The incidence of suicides among students continues to outpace both population growth and overall suicide trends. Over the past decade, the population of 0-24 year-olds has declined from 582 million to 581 million, while the number of suicides among students has increased from 6,654 to 13,044,” it added.
The IC3 Institute is a volunteer organization that supports secondary schools around the world with guidance and training materials for their administrators, teachers and counselors, helping to establish and maintain robust career and education departments.
According to the report, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh are the states with the highest number of student suicides, accounting for one-third of the national total.
Southern states and union territories together account for 29 per cent of these cases, while Rajasthan, known for its high-stakes academic environment, ranks tenth, underscoring the immense pressure that comes with coaching hubs like Kota.
“The data collected by the NCRB is based on First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by the police. However, it is important to recognise that the actual number of student suicides is likely to be under-reported. This under-reporting can be attributed to several factors, including the social stigma surrounding suicide and the criminalisation of attempted and assisted suicide under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code.
While the Mental Health Act of 2017 decriminalizes suicide attempts for people with mental illness, the criminalization still has implications for how reporting is done, the law says.
“In addition, there are significant discrepancies in the data due to the lack of a robust data collection system, particularly in rural areas, where reporting is less consistent compared to urban regions,” the report said.
Ganesh Kohli, founder of the IC3 movement, said the report reminds us of the urgent need to address the mental health challenges within our educational institutions.
“Our educational focus must shift to advancing the competencies of our students so that their overall well-being is supported, rather than forcing them to compete with each other.
“It is vital that we establish a systematic, comprehensive and robust career and study guidance system within each institution and that we integrate this system seamlessly into the educational programme,” he said.
In addition, the report noted a dramatic increase in suicides among college students, with male suicides increasing by 50 percent and female suicides by 61 percent over the past decade.
“Both genders have experienced an average annual increase of 5pc (percent) over the past five years. These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for improved counseling infrastructure and a deeper understanding of student aspirations.
“Addressing these gaps is essential to shift the focus from competitive pressures to developing core competencies and wellbeing, so we can support students more effectively and prevent such tragedies,” the report said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published via a syndicated feed.)