Why suicide rate is increasing in India?
- There may be numerous factors behind the rise.
- According to a report in The Wire, in this age of aggressive neo-liberalization, educational standards and the prospect of public sector job in India are dropping fast.
- Students who fail to secure their ‘dream job’ in the government sector or those who cannot clear the entrance examination for premier institutes like the Indian Institutes of
Technology (IITs) are victimized into blaming themselves and despairing of their own fortune.
- In such cases, depression rises, leading to suicide for far too many.
- The coaching centers encase the youth’s ‘hope for a better future’ and have merged into a dominant industry in the education sector.
- The pressures it create seems to mold young persons into a state of poor self-worth, and self-esteem which is predicated on performance alone or primarily.
- Due to a lack of sensitivity among the masses, a person ends up sometimes feeling guilty for their life choices.
- Unless and until the state takes responsibility to create awareness about mental health among it’s citizen and give importance in producing more mental health experts as well as creating great opportunities for them nothing will be changed.
- Student suicide but many other mental health-related difficulty will keep rising.
India’s worsening student suicides
- Mental health experts say the Covid-19 lockdowns have had disastrous consequences for children.
- This is worsened by the uncertainty around exams like the NEET, with constantly shifting dates.
- In 2020, 14 suicides were officially reported in connection with the NEET .
- In India, estimates suggest that one student dies by suicide almost every hour
Why does Tamil Nadu oppose NEET?
- Tamil Nadu has been one of the most vocal opponents of the NEET.
- Before 2006, the Tamil Nadu government used the Common Entrance Test (CET), which also favored students who could afford private tuition.
- For a decade between 2006 & 2017, the state government granted admission to students into it’s medical colleges based on their class 12 marks, ignoring the NEET, which was instituted by the central government in 2013.
- The state legislature passed a bill, which still awaits presidential assent , on Sept. 13 abolishing the exam.
What is the Current Status of Suicides in Students?
- Over 13,000 students died by in 2021 in India at the rate of more than 35 every day, a rise of 4.5% from the 12,526 deaths in 2020 with 864 out of 10,732 suicides being due to “failure in examination” according to the latest data as per NCRB’s ADSI report 2021.
- Since 1995, the country lost the highest number of students to suicides in 2021, while nearly 2 lakh of them have died by suicide in the past 25 years.
➢ The death by suicide of students has increased by 32.15% since 2017, when 9,905 students died by suicide. - Maharashtra had the highest number of student suicides in 2021 with 1,834, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
- The report also showed the percentage of women student suicide was at a five-year low of 43.49%, while men student suicides made up 56.51% of the total student suicides.
➢ In 2017, 4,711 women students died by suicide, while in 2021 such deaths increased to 5,693.
2. As per Ministry of Education, 122 students from IITs, NITs, central universities and other central institutions died by suicide over 2014-21.
- 68 of 122 belonged to the scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST) or other backward classes (OBC).
3. Suicides are a growing concern in Kota, India, a hub for engineering and medical entrance exams preparation.
- As of January 2023, 22 students have died in Kota since 2022 and around 121 have died since 2011.
What are the Factors that Increase Suicide Risk?
- Academic Pressure:
High expectations from parents, teachers and society can lead to excessive stress and pressure to perform well in exams.
This pressure to succeed can be overwhelming for some students, leading to feelings of failure and hopelessness. - Mental Health Issues:
Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder can contribute to student suicides.
These conditions can be exacerbated by stress, loneliness, and lack of support.
- Isolation and Loneliness:
Many students in educational hubs come from far away and live away from their families and friends.
This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can be particularly difficult to deal with in an unfamiliar and competitive environment.
- Financial Concerns:
Financial difficulties, such as not being able to afford tuition fees or living expenses, can create a great deal of stress and worry for students.
This can lead to feelings of hopelessness and desperation. - Cyber Bullying:
Cyber bullying and online harassment are becoming increasingly common and can contribute to student suicides.Cyber bullying can take many forms, such as harassment, cyberstalking, or bullying through social media.
- Substance Abuse:
Substance abuse and alcohol abuse can contribute to student suicides. Substance abuse can lead to mental health problems, financial difficulties, and legal issues, all of which can be overwhelming for students.
- Relationship Problems:
Relationship problems, such as break-ups, family conflicts, and friendship issues can also contribute to student suicides.
These problems can be particularly difficult to deal with for students who are far from home and have limited support. - Lack of Support:
Many students in educational hubs are reluctant to reach out for help when they are struggling.
This can be due to stigma surrounding mental health problems or a fear of being judged.
This lack of support can lead to feelings of hopelessness and desperation.
What can be Done to Prevent Suicides?
- Improved mental health services
- Embracing positive attitude towards mental health
- Focus on overall personality development
- Encouraging participation In sports
- Addressing the socio-economic issues
- Strict cyber bullying policies
- Substance abuse prevention program
- Building positive relationships
- Family support
– Shalini Yadav (MBBS, MMCH)
Editor – Madiha Fatma (MBBS, MMCH)
