In India, student suicides make up 7.6% of total deaths, with approximately 13,000 students dying each year, as per a National Crime Records Bureau report. Contributing factors include academic pressure, social stress, and inadequate institutional support. Neuropsychiatrist Anjali Nagpal emphasizes the need for mental health education in schools and preparing students for real-life challenges. The Indian government recognizes the issue and is implementing measures to provide psychological support for students, teachers, and families amidst ongoing academic pressures and toxic competitiveness.
"I see these numbers as not just statistics but as signs of silent suffering buried under societal norms and expectations," Anjali Nagpal, a neuropsychiatrist who has studied the issue closely, told DW.
"Mental health education should be a regular part of school life not limited to isolated sessions. Students need space to talk and be heard. Teachers must be trained to listen, not just lecture," Nagpal said.
The government acknowledged that despite a series of educational reforms and new mental health initiatives, "extreme academic pressure" continues to affect vulnerable students.
Nelson Vinod Moses, founder of the Suicide Prevention India Foundation, told DW a that persistent "toxic competitiveness," combined with harsh grading systems is a significant threat.
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