Students Suicide: The Challenge of the Education System and Society

 An alarming number of young people in India are dying by suicide. In India, the number of student suicides is tragically on the rise. Young people may have been driven to take their own lives for a variety of reasons, such as discrimination, declining mental health, or an overwhelming burden of expectations from their families.

I am a failure I am the worst daughter; this was the last option left for me. Sorry, Mom and Dad, these were the last words of Niharika Solanki, who died by suicide this year in Kota, a city considered to be a coaching hub for IIT and Neet Niharika's father is a security guard. She was the eldest of three sisters. She was preparing for the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE).Solanki's grief is shared by a large number of students, as the nation's student fatality rate has alarmingly increased due to the failure to achieve success in highly competitive exams like JEE and NEET. 

In the year 2023, Kota saw 27 students die by suicide in several of its coaching centers, the highest number ever in a year. The annual report of the National Crime Records Bureau released in December 2022 revealed that the total number of suicides among students and unemployed was 7.6 percent and 9.2 percent, respectively. If we talk about student suicides in the entire country, then the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) says that according to the latest report released on Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2022, more than 13,000 students took their lives in India in 2022. Students accounted for 7.6% of all deaths by suicide in 2022. The report also revealed that failure in examinations was the reason for the suicide of 1,123 students under the age of 18. Of these, 578 were girls and 575 were boys. Across various age groups, 2,095 people died by suicide after failing the examinations. The number was highest in Maharashtra (378), followed by Madhya Pradesh (277) and Jharkhand (174). Karnataka (162) and Gujarat (155) also recorded high numbers of deaths by suicide due to failure in examinations. Overall, 10,295 children under 18 died by suicide in 2022. The number of suicides was slightly higher among girls (5,588) than among boys (4,616). The report also revealed that the highest percentage of deaths were seen among people with secondary level education, accounting for 23.9% of all suicides in 2022. People without education accounted for 11.5% of all suicide deaths.  

Now let's examine a few of the variables that raise the risk of suicide among Indian students. Academic pressure is the primary cause. In order to be admitted to esteemed institutions and universities, many students in India feel pressured to perform well on exams. They have to deal with high standards set by society, educators, and Their Parents.Some students may find this pressure too much, particularly those who have learning problems or disinterested in the things they are studying. To achieve these demands, some children could even turn to memorization or copying, which can be detrimental to their originality and self-worth. When these students don't get the outcomes they want, they could feel like failures and give up on their future. Recently, the Supreme Court held the parents of the children responsible for this. During the hearing on a petition, the court said that parents are responsible for the suicide of children in Kota. Parents expect more from their children than their capabilities. Due to this, children come under pressure and take steps like suicide.

Problems with mental health are the second reason. Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder are common among Indian students and can have a negative impact on their motivation, mood, and ability to concentrate. These problems can be increased by stress, loneliness, and a lack of support. Due to stigma, misinformation, or fear, many students may not be aware that they are struggling with mental health issues or may choose not to seek help. Some students may also self-abuse drugs, which can have harmful effects on their physical and mental health.Loneliness and seclusion constitute an additional reason. Many Indian students travel to educational hubs like Kota, Delhi, or Mumbai, far from their homes and families, in order to pursue their studies. These students may face difficulties in adjusting to the new environment, culture, and lifestyle. Sometimes they may face discrimination, harassment, or violence based on their caste, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. These students may feel isolated and alone, and they may not have anyone to talk to or share their feelings with. They may also lack the social skills or hobbies to make friends or deal with stress. The fourth factor is money-related concern. Since many Indian students come from poverty. or middle-class families, it's possible that they will not be able to pay the high cost of school. Additionally, they could experience pressure from their family to work and provide for them. Some students might borrow money from friends or family or take out loans, which can lead to shame and a debt cycle. A student's academic performance and well-being may be impacted by their part-time or full-time employment.Cyberbullying is the fifth reason. As technology advances, cybercrime and online harassment are become more prevalent and may have a role in the suicide of students. Cybercrime can take many different forms, including emitting personal images or videos, posting enraged comments, starting rumors, and sending abusive letters. Cybercrime victims may experience humiliation, rage, or fear in addition to negative effects on their security, reputation, and sense of self. It might be challenging to stop or report cybercrime since of the possibility that offenders will utilize fictitious accounts or remain anonymous.

Problems in relationships are also a reason. Breakups, family disputes, and friendship troubles are examples of relationship problems that might lead to student suicide. It can be particularly challenging for students who are away from home and have limited help dealing with these issues. Relationship issues can impact students' social and academic lives, as well as cause them to feel emotionally distressed, angry, resentful, or guilty. Lastly, a lack of support is the main cause. When they are struggling, a lot of Indian students don't receive adequate help from their friends, family, professors, or counselors. Many students are afraid of being rejected, misinterpreted, or criticized, so they don't feel confident or at ease asking for help or discussing their difficulties. Furthermore, due to a lack of awareness, availability, or affordability, many students do not have access to quality mental health care. May not have access to health services or resources. These are some of the factors that increase the risk of student suicide in India.

Now let's examine a few potential ways to put an end to them. Enhancing the educational system is the first step in action. Instead of being strict, test-focused, and teacher-centric, the Indian educational system has to be more adaptable, all-encompassing, and student-centered. Instead than pressuring students to take a rigid or planned course of study, the educational system ought to provide them the freedom to select courses, disciplines, and vocations based on their interests, aptitudes, and goals. In addition, rather than emphasizing memory and replication, the educational system ought to promote creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.In order to assist students with future planning and stress management, the educational system should also offer them sufficient assistance, counseling, and advise. In addition, there is a need to enhance mental health care. It is imperative to enhance the accessibility, affordability, and acceptability of mental health care for students in India. Student screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up for a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, should be provided by mental health services. To assist students in addressing their feelings and issues, mental health providers should also offer psychoeducation, psychotherapy, and psychosocial therapies. In addition, mental health services ought to dispel myths, stigma, and discrimination around mental health issues while raising students' knowledge and providing them with support. Enhancing the social environment is the third option. It is imperative to foster a more inclusive, diversified, and courteous social environment for students in India. Students should be given the chance to connect, engage, and converse with individuals who have diverse origins, cultures, and points of view in order to foster mutual learning in the classroom. Students should feel comfortable and respected in the social environment, free from harassment, violence, and discrimination because of their gender, sexual orientation, race, or religion. Students should be supported in their moments of need and encouraged to develop a culture of understanding, compassion, and unity in the social environment.

Enhancing financial assistance, There should be more sufficient, fair, and long-lasting financial aid available to Indian students. Scholarships, grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance that students receive to help them pay for their education should be included in this category. In order to help students make money or get experience, financial aid should also offer jobs, internships, or possibilities for entrepreneurial endeavors. In order to assist students with budgeting, saving, and investing, financial aid should also equip them with planning, financial management, and financial literacy skills.

Enhancing cybersecurity, India has to improve its cybersecurity so that it is more resilient, dependable, and student-responsive. Students should be protected from cyberbullying and online harassment through cybersecurity. Students should be empowered, educated, and made aware of cybersecurity and digital citizenship through cybersecurity. In addition, cybersecurity should offer pupils intervention, therapy, and support for trauma and cyberbullying. Enhancing drug misuse prevention is the sixth option. It is imperative to enhance the efficacy, comprehensiveness, and collaborative nature of substance abuse prevention for students in India. Students should be informed, educated, and made conscious of the negative impacts of alcohol and drugs in order to prevent substance usage.

Enhancing interpersonal skills is also an important thing. In India, students need to practice, develop, and grow their relationship skills more. Students should be able to express their needs, wants, and ideas as well as settle disagreements and conflicts by using their interpersonal skills to negotiate, communicate, and resolve conflicts. Along with empathy, respect, and trust, interpersonal abilities should teach students how to understand, value, and support one another. In order to help students manage their emotions and issues, relationship skills should also teach them resilience, coping, and self-care techniques.

Enhancing the support system for Students in India require greater availability, accessibility, and assistance from the educational system. Students should have access to instructors, counselors, friends, and family members who can support, listen, and care for them as part of their support systems. Additionally, support systems have to give students access to telephone lines, helplines, or online resources where they can message, chat, or contact to get peer or professional support. Additionally, support systems ought to connect students with networks, resources, or referrals where they can obtain additional information or assistance. Here are a few potential remedies to stop student suicides in India. By putting these ideas into practice, I think we can construct better and safer structures.

India has made great progress in recent years in tackling mental health issues by implementing a number of programs and tactics. The 2017 implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act (MHA) is a crucial step in this approach. By guaranteeing that human rights are upheld and readily available mental health services are provided, this legislation demonstrates a commitment to providing mental healthcare services to people who are struggling with mental diseases.

2017's Mental Healthcare Act (MHA):
With the primary goal of providing mental healthcare services to those with mental illness, the Mental Health Act of 2017 is a fundamental component of India's mental health system. This law emphasizes how critical it is to de-stigmatize mental health conditions and guarantee that those who require care may obtain it.

KIRAN Helpline: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment established the round-the-clock, toll-free "KIRAN" helpline in an effort to provide prompt assistance to people dealing with mental health issues. This helpline offers support to people with mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, depression, suicide thoughts, and other issues. KIRAN is essential in giving people in need a lifeline and fostering an atmosphere that is more conducive to mental wellness.

Manodarpan Initiative: The Ministry of Education launched the Manodarpan Initiative as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The goal of this project is to offer teachers, parents, and pupils psychosocial support during the trying times caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Manodarpan promotes a comprehensive strategy in tackling the wider effects of the epidemic on mental health by emphasizing mental health and well-being.

National Strategy to Prevent Suicide:
India established the National Suicide Prevention Strategy in 2023, a ground-breaking endeavor in the nation that goes beyond mental health measures. With time-bound action plans and multi-sectoral collaborations, this strategy is the first of its type with the goal of reducing suicide mortality by 10% by 2030. In line with the South East Asia Region Suicide Prevention Strategy of the World Health Organization, the plan includes the following goals:

1. Effective monitoring measures: Within the next three years, suicide monitoring measures should be established.

2.District Mental Health Programme: Within the next five years, all districts will have psychiatric outpatient departments for suicide prevention services provided by the District Mental Health Programme.

3. Mental Well-Being Curriculum:Within the next eight years, implementing a mental well-being curriculum in every educational institution.

4. **Responsible Media Reporting:** Creating standards for ethical reporting of suicides in the media.

5. Access Restriction:** Limiting the availability of suicide tools.

This all-encompassing approach shows a deliberate attempt to address suicide prevention from a number of perspectives, stressing the significance of responsible reporting, education, and mental health awareness.

In conclusion, there is a commitment to promoting a mentally healthy nation in India, as seen by the legislative frameworks, helpline services, targeted support programs, and strategic efforts that are shaping the country's mental health landscape. The goal of these initiatives is to establish a stigma-free atmosphere where people dealing with mental health issues can get care, leading to a society that is more understanding and helpful.