• UGI USER
  • Mar 27, 2024
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A CRY FOR HELP, A CALL FOR REFLECTION AND ACTION

Syllabus:

GS 1:

  • Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

Focus:

  • The unyielding quest for scholastic distinction often causes many an Indian student to go into a spiral, with tragic outcomes
Source:- TOI

In the bustling landscape of India’s education sector, a poignant narrative unfolds, one that speaks of despair, stress, and tragedy among its youth. Sumant Kumar, an Assistant Professor at Alliance School of Liberal Arts, Alliance University, paints a sobering picture of the socio-academic climate prevailing in the country. As socio-economic dynamics undergo transformation, a palpable sense of despondency permeates the student populace, fueling academic stress that often spirals tragically into a spate of suicides.

What is the Current Status of Suicides in Students?

The Situation in Kota:

  • Kota, Rajasthan, known for coaching institutes, witnesses a concerning trend of student suicides, especially among those preparing for competitive exams like JEE and NEET.
  • Over 2,00,000 students flock to Kota annually, boosting its economy.
  • Institutes introduce preventive measures like anti-suicide features in hostels, but challenges persist in maintaining uniformity across accommodations.
  • Local government halts routine testing in coaching institutes temporarily and focuses on training hostel staff for student welfare.

Student Suicides Statistics:

  • NCRB reports alarming numbers of student suicides, reaching over 13,000 in 2022, with a significant rise over the past decade.
  • Nearly 54% of India’s population comprises individuals under 25, facing barriers to entry into the labor force due to skill deficiencies and limited job opportunities.
  • Overall Student Suicides in 2021:
    • Over 13,000 students died by suicide in India in 2021.
    • This accounts for more than 35 deaths every day.
    • Represents a 4.5% increase from the 12,526 deaths recorded in 2020.
  • Reasons for Suicides:
    • 864 out of 10,732 suicides were attributed to “failure in examination” according to the NCRB’s ADSI report 2021.
  • Historical Trends:
    • In 2021, India witnessed the highest number of student suicides since 1995.
    • Nearly 2 lakh students have died by suicide in the past 25 years.
  • Increase since 2017:
    • Student suicides have risen by 32.15% since 2017 when 9,905 students died by suicide.
  • Regional Data:
    • Maharashtra recorded the highest number of student suicides in 2021 with 1,834 cases, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
  • Gender Disparity:
    • Women student suicides accounted for 43.49% of the total, a five-year low.
    • Men student suicides comprised 56.51% of the total.
    • Deaths of women students rose from 4,711 in 2017 to 5,693 in 2021.
  • Suicides in Higher Education Institutions:
    • Ministry of Education reported 122 student suicides in IITs, NITs, central universities, and other central institutions from 2014 to 2021.
    • 68 out of 122 belonged to SC, ST, or OBC categories.
  • Concern in Kota:
    • Kota, known for engineering and medical entrance exam preparation, faces a growing concern over suicides.
    • Since 2022, 22 students have died in Kota, totaling around 121 deaths since 2011.

Factors that Increase Suicide Risk:

  • Academic Pressure:
    • High expectations from parents, teachers, and society create excessive stress and pressure to excel in exams.
    • Overwhelming pressure to succeed leads to feelings of failure and hopelessness among students.
  • Mental Health Issues:
    • Conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder contribute to student suicides.
    • Stress, loneliness, and lack of support exacerbate mental health problems.
  • Isolation and Loneliness:
    • Students living away from family and friends in educational hubs experience isolation and loneliness.
    • Dealing with these feelings becomes challenging in a competitive and unfamiliar environment.
  • Financial Concerns:
    • Financial difficulties, such as inability to afford tuition fees or living expenses, cause significant stress.
    • Financial struggles lead to feelings of hopelessness and desperation.
  • Cyber Bullying:
    • Online harassment and cyberbullying contribute to student suicides.
    • Various forms of cyberbullying, including harassment and cyberstalking, worsen mental health.
  • Substance Abuse:
    • Substance and alcohol abuse worsen mental health, financial stability, and legal issues.
    • Substance abuse adds overwhelming burdens for students, increasing suicide risk.
  • Relationship Problems:
    • Break-ups, family conflicts, and friendship issues contribute to student suicides.
    • These problems are particularly challenging for students lacking support away from home.
  • Lack of Support:
    • Stigma surrounding mental health issues and fear of judgment deter students from seeking help.
    • Absence of support leads to feelings of hopelessness and desperation.

Preventing Suicides:

  • Improved Mental Health Services:
    • Access to counseling, support groups, and psychiatric services should be provided to students.
    • Training teachers, staff, and students in mental health first aid is crucial.
  • Embracing Positive Attitudes towards Mental Health:
    • Promoting open discussions about mental health and suicide fosters positive attitudes.
    • Creating a culture that encourages help-seeking behavior is essential.
  • Focus on Overall Personality Development:
    • Holistic approaches to personality development create supportive environments.
    • Educational institutions play a critical role in nurturing students academically and emotionally.
  • Encouraging Participation in Sports:
    • Sports offer positive outlets for stress, boost self-esteem, and increase confidence.
    • Participation in sports activities contributes to overall well-being and suicide prevention.
  • Addressing Socio-economic Issues:
    • Poverty, homelessness, and unemployment should be tackled to improve student well-being.
    • Alleviating socio-economic stressors reduces anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies.
  • Stricter Cyber Bullying Policies:
    • Implementing and enforcing stringent cyberbullying policies helps mitigate online harassment.
    • Monitoring social media, educating about cyberbullying, and legal actions deter cyberbullying.
  • Substance Abuse Prevention Programs:
    • Educating students about substance abuse dangers and providing support for addiction struggles are vital.
    • Reducing access to drugs and alcohol contributes to suicide prevention.
  • Building Positive Relationships:
    • Encouraging positive relationships, offering relationship counseling, and promoting help-seeking behavior are essential.
    • Positive connections reduce the risk of suicide and enhance well-being.
  • Family Support:
    • Providing support and resources for families encourages student well-being.
    • Maintaining contact with families reduces feelings of isolation and supports mental health.

The relentless pursuit of academic excellence often leads students into a spiral of despair, resulting in tragic outcomes like suicide. Collective efforts are required from educational institutions, families, and society at large to address the root causes of student stress and provide the necessary support and empathy to safeguard young lives.

Indian Initiatives in Mental Health:

  • Mental Healthcare Act (MHA), 2017:
    • The MHA 2017 is aimed at providing mental healthcare services to individuals with mental illness.
    • It sets guidelines for the treatment, admission, and discharge of mentally ill persons, ensuring their rights and dignity are upheld.
  • KIRAN Helpline:
    • The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the 24/7 toll-free helpline “KIRAN” to offer support to individuals experiencing anxiety, stress, depression, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health concerns.
    • KIRAN provides confidential counseling and guidance to those in need, connecting them with trained professionals for assistance.
  • Manodarpan Initiative:
    • Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the Ministry of Education introduced the Manodarpan initiative.
    • Manodarpan aims to provide psychosocial support to students, families, and teachers, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing mental health and well-being.
  • National Suicide Prevention Strategy:
    • Launched in 2023, the National Suicide Prevention Strategy is a groundbreaking initiative in India, focusing on reducing suicide mortality by 10% by 2030.
    • Aligned with the World Health Organization’s South East-Asia Region Strategy for suicide prevention, it outlines time-bound action plans and multi-sectoral collaborations.
    • Objectives of the Strategy:
      • Establishing effective surveillance mechanisms for suicide within the next three years.
      • Integrating suicide prevention services through psychiatric outpatient departments under the District Mental Health Programme in all districts within five years.
      • Incorporating a mental well-being curriculum in all educational institutions within eight years.
      • Developing guidelines for responsible media reporting of suicides and implementing measures to restrict access to means of suicide.

Source:

https://epaper.thehindu.com/reader

Mains Practice Question:

“Considering the rising incidences of student stress and suicides in India, especially in academic pressure-cooker environments like Kota, Rajasthan, critically analyze the underlying socio-economic and psychological factors contributing to this alarming trend. Discuss the role of educational institutions, government policies, and societal attitudes in exacerbating or mitigating these pressures.