The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati witnessed large-scale protest by students over three days following the death of a 21-year-old student. Bimlesh Kumar, who hailed from Uttar Pradesh, was found hanging in his hostel room after having allegedly died by suicide. This was the third death of a student on the campus under similar circumstances. Students protested against what they said were wrong policies of the authorities, particularly concerning attendance. After the loss of three precious lives under such unfortunate circumstances, the authorities would do well to take a long and hard look at the state of affairs and initiate remedial measures to prevent more students from taking such extreme steps in the future. But it is not only about IITs when it comes to suicides by students; the alarming rise of suicides in educational institutions has claimed countless young lives, leaving behind a trail of devastation and heartbreak.
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According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India witnessed a staggering 10,335 student suicides in 2020 alone, with a significant proportion of these occurring within educational institutions. The numbers tell a grim story, one of immense pressure and stress that students face in their pursuit of academic excellence. The contributing factors of this seeming crisis can be traced to academic pressure, societal expectations, and mental health. Besides, the students have to at times confront stiff competition to avail seats in institutes of their choice given the limited number which results in anxiety and fear. In this mad rush they often ignore their well-being and happiness thus creating for themselves a dark and foreboding environment which could lead them to consider taking the extreme step. Moreover, the stigma surrounding mental health issues prevents many students from seeking help, and the fear of any kind of labeling sends them into a silent corner to suffer in isolation.
There is need for a multi-pronged strategy to combat this burgeoning crisis where educational institutions must prioritise student well-being, providing access to counseling services, stress management programmes, and mental health resources; the emphasis on academic achievement often overshadows the importance of mental health support and well-being. Together, parents and teachers must foster a supportive environment, encouraging open communication and empathy. Above all, it must be recognized and appreciated that every student's life lost is a potential talent silenced, hence it is of utmost importance that a nurturing environment is created in which they can flourish. The educational institutions must become sanctuaries of learning, growth, and hope. A Lancet study says the prevalence of suicide in India is higher than the global average, with a suicide rate of 11·3 per 100 000 population in 2020. The 2017 Mental Health Care Act (MHCA 2017) decriminalised suicide in India, but the absence of a national suicide prevention strategy was a major barrier to effective suicide prevention. India launched its National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS) on November 21, 2022. This is the first policy in India to make suicide prevention a public health priority. The strategy primarily aims to reduce suicide mortality by 10% by 2030 compared with 2020. The NSPS aims to achieve this target by establishing effective surveillance mechanisms (by 2025), establishing suicide prevention services through the District Mental Health Programme in all districts (by 2027), and integrating a mental well-being curriculum in all educational institutions (by 2030). While the aims are noble, it remains to be seen how the execution happens to ensure students like Bimlesh do not take the extreme step.
