STUDENTS SUICIDE IN INDIA IS NOW MORE THAN POPULATION GROWTH RATE
By Nityaasini Sivagami
30TH AUGUST: A recent survey reveals that student suicides in India have risen at a rate higher than the country’s population growth and overall suicide rates. The report, “Student Suicides: An Epidemic Sweeping India,” was presented at the IC3 Annual Conference and Expo 2024, using data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
The study highlights a 4% increase in student suicides, compared to a 2% rise in general suicide rates annually. It suggests that these figures might be underreported, indicating a potentially larger issue.
Student suicides now make up 7.6% of all suicides in India, comparable to rates among salaried employees and farmers. A gender study within the report shows a significant increase in suicides among female students—61% over the past decade, compared to 50% for male students.
Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra account for one-third of all student suicides in the country, with notable increases observed in Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand. In response, the IC3 Institute has launched various initiatives to address this issue, including annual mental health surveys, student-led plays to destigmatize mental health, and professional development programs for teachers to better support student wellbeing.
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