Rising Suicides Among Students

Posted 19 Aug 2025

Updated 22 Aug 2025

4 min read

Why in the News?

Noting the 'deepening crisis' of suicides, Supreme Court (SC) in Sukdeb Saha v State of Andhra Pradesh issued guidelines to Protect Mental Health of Students In Colleges & Coaching Centres.

Rising Mental Health Crisis amongst Students

National Crime Records Bureau ('NCRB') in its "Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India" (2022) found that out of the total cases of suicides, 7.6% corresponds to students.
Male student suicides surged to 99% while female jumped to 92% (2012-2022).

Other related SC Judgements: Amit Kumar v. Union of India (2025) – National Task Force constituted to address student mental health and prevent suicides in Higher Educational Institutions. Shatrughan Chauhan v. Union of India (2014) and Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) – Held that mental health is an integral part of Right to Life under Article 21

Factors contributing to Student's Mental Health Crisis

Academic Pressures: Narrow definition of success, Academic dissatisfaction, academic stress and academic failure, particularly related to competitive exams.
Systemic Issues: Discrimination and harassment in educational setting e.g., Ragging, Bullying, Sexual Assault, etc. erodes a sense of belonging and trust.
Culture of Silence: Lack of open discussion and stigma on mental health coupled with insufficient safeguards acts as a social barrier.
Legislative and Regulatory Vacuum: Absence of unified, enforceable framework to deal with student's mental health issues, hinders social protection and right based approach towards mental health.
Family Issues: E.g. Family conflict and instability (divorce, separation, financial hardships, etc.), parental neglect, loss of a loved ones, history of depression or other mental illnesses, adverse childhood experiences, addiction to social media etc.
Others: Low Self Esteem; social isolation; Socio-economic discrimination (Caste-based, gender-based) etc.

Initiatives taken to improve Mental Health of Students

Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: Rights based legislation recognising every person's right to access mental healthcare and protection.
- Section 18 guarantees mental health services to all, and Section 115 explicitly decriminalises attempted suicide, acknowledging the need for care and support rather than punishment.
National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (2022): Aims to reduce suicide mortality by 10% by 2030.
National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele MANAS): Provide Access to mental health care services to all through a centralized toll-free helpline.
Manodarpan Initiative: By the Ministry of Education to monitor and promote the mental health issues of students and teachers during conditions like COVID 19 and beyond.
Integrated approach for Promoting Positive Mental Health, Resilience, and Wellbeing: Initiated by the Ministry of Education under the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme in sync with the National Education Policy 2020 to empower faculty to address student mental health concerns for early intervention.
Guidelines for Regulation of Coaching Centers to States/UTs: By the Ministry of Education encompassing aspects like prioritization of counsellors' support within coaching centres; no batch segregation; maintenance of records etc.

Way Forward: Key guidelines Issued by the SC

Uniform Mental Health Policy: To be adopted and implemented by all educational institutions, reviewed and updated annually and made publicly accessible.
Appoint Qualified Counsellor/Psychologist/Social Workers: At least one in all educational institution with 100 or more enrolled students.
Mandatory Training: For all teaching and non-teaching staff at least twice a year, conducted by certified mental health professionals, on psychological first-aid, identifying warning signs, etc.
Grievance Redressal Mechanism: Robust, confidential, and accessible to be established by all educational institutions.
Sensitizing Parents and Guardians: To avoid placing undue academic pressure and to recognise signs of psychological distress, and to respond empathetically and supportively.
Extracurricular Activities: Including sports, arts, and personality development initiatives to be prioritised.
Coaching Institutions and Hubs: Implement heightened mental health protections and preventive measures, regular, structured career counselling services for students and parents/guardians.
Residential Educational Institutions: Take proactive steps to ensure that campuses remain free from harassment, bullying, drugs, and other harmful substances.

Conclusion

Improving student mental health requires a holistic approach that combines peer support, adequate funding for trained professionals, responsible media practices, and strong institutional accountability. Grassroots monitoring, stigma reduction, safe digital engagement, and integrating mental health services into educational settings are essential to ensure early identification, timely intervention, and accessible care for all students.