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Mahesh

07/05/23 08:12 AM IST

India's rising cases of student deaths

In News
  • India recorded 35 daily student suicides, especially during Covid as per the National Crime Record Bureau's 2021 report.
Major Findings
  • The Indian Institutes of Technology reported 33 student suicides from 2018-2023, while the National Institutes of Technology and Indian Institutes of Management reported 61 additional suicides, according to the Ministry of Education.
  • In 2022, student suicides increased by 4.5%, with around 35 reported each day.
  • Of the 10,732 suicides in 2021, 864 were linked to exam failures, while nine Central University students committed suicide in 2023.
Reasons for Suicides
  • A major issue of student suicide has arisen due to India’s highly competitive education system, combined with restricted opportunities for higher education and employment.
  • This issue is multifaceted, with parental expectations, financial constraints, bullying, relationship issues, and inadequate support systems contributing to the problem.
Mental Health in India
  • There is a significant shortage of mental health professionals in India, with just one professional available for every 1,00,000 people.
  • This scarcity of professionals has resulted in individuals, including students, often having to resort to costly private mental health professionals for regular mental healthcare.
  • In major cities, counseling or psychiatric consultations can be priced as high as Rs.2,000-4,000 per hour, rendering it difficult for students with limited resources to avail themselves of these services.
Measures
  • A comprehensive strategy is necessary to tackle the issue of student suicide rates in India, which includes a range of measures such as education system reforms, improved mental health support, awareness campaigns, and more opportunities for students to engage in non-academic interests.
  • The UGC has put forth new regulations, and the Union Health Ministry has asked for a short-term plan from the IIT Council.
  • In addition, operational guidelines have been issued by the Centre for schools and higher education institutions to provide trained counsellors or psychologists on campus.
  • Despite these steps, there is still a long road ahead to effectively address the problem.
Source- Indian Express

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