Student Suicides Surge by 4% Annually, Double the National Average
Data from NCRB Shows Concerning Growth in Student Suicide Rates
A new report has highlighted a troubling increase in student suicides in India, with the rate of incidents rising faster than both the national population growth and general suicide trends.
The report, titled “Student Suicides: An Epidemic Sweeping India,” was released on Wednesday at the Annual IC3 Conference and Expo 2024.
According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), while overall suicides have risen by 2 percent annually, student suicides have surged by 4 percent each year. This increase is twice the national average and suggests that the actual number of student suicides could be even higher due to potential underreporting.
The report indicates that in 2022, male students represented 53 percent of all student suicides. Although the number of male student suicides decreased by 6 percent from 2021 to 2022, female student suicides increased by 7 percent.
Indian Armed Forces Record 16.5% Suicide Rate Per 100,000 Personnel
Over the last decade, student suicides have more than doubled, rising from 6,654 in 2012 to 13,044 in 2022, despite a slight decline in the population of 0-24-year-olds.
The states with the highest number of student suicides are Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh, which together account for one-third of the national total. Southern states and union territories make up 29 percent of these cases. Rajasthan, known for its high-pressure academic environment, ranks 10th, reflecting the intense stress associated with coaching hubs like Kota.
The IC3 Institute’s report highlights the issue of underreporting due to social stigma and the criminalization of attempted suicides under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, despite the 2017 Mental Healthcare Act which decriminalizes such attempts for individuals with mental illness.
Ganesh Kohli, Founder of the IC3 Movement, emphasized the urgent need for better mental health support within educational institutions. He advocates for a shift from competitive pressures to a focus on student well-being and the implementation of comprehensive career and college counseling systems.
The report also notes a dramatic rise in student suicides over the past decade, with male suicides increasing by 50 percent and female suicides by 61 percent. Both genders have experienced an average annual increase of 5 percent over the last five years, underscoring the necessity for improved counseling resources and a deeper understanding of student needs.
Follow us on our social media platforms here: Twitter WHATSAPP CHANNEL FACEBOOK PAGE
