Suicides by students can come down only if parents back off, say experts

Pressure to perform well in exams, fear of results, academic stress, and incidents like ragging remain the main cause of student suicides across the country.

As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report titled 'Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India', in the year 2021, more than 13,000 students in India lost their lives. This means that on average, over 35 students die by suicide every day.

Observing the increasing trend of student suicides, the Ministry of Education has introduced a new initiative called 'Umeed' (Hope). The 'Umeed' draft guide lines emphasise the idea that every child matters.

The guidelines highlight that when students struggle with personal and social challenges, they may experience feelings of sadness, dissatisfaction, hopelessness, despair, mood swings, and, in severe cases, thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

According to Sujata Kshirsagar, Chairperson of Career Launchers, students often suffer from mental health issues due to the competitive environment in such institutions.

In this context, 'Umeed' is a commendable step.