• Source:JND
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India has recently witnessed a massive spike in student suicide cases. While the alarming situation raises a concern over the increasing numbers, a report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) revealed that the annual student suicide rate has surpassed the population growth rate and overall suicide trends.

A report, "Student suicides: An epidemic sweeping India", was launched on Wednesday at the Annual IC3 Conference and Expo 2024. The report was based on the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data. The report highlighted that while the overall suicide numbers in India has increased by 2 per cent annually, the student suicides rate saw a jump of 4 per cent despite a likely "under reporting" of student suicide cases.

"Over the past two decades, student suicides have grown at an alarming annual rate of 4 per cent, double the national average. In 2022, male students constituted 53 pc (per cent) of the total student suicides. Between 2021 and 2022, male student suicides decreased by 6 per cent while female student suicides increased by 7 per cent," said the report.

"The incidence of student suicides continues to surpass both population growth rates and overall suicide trends. Over the last decade, while the population of 0-24-year-olds reduced from 582 million to 581 million, the number of student suicides increased from 6,654 to 13,044," it added.

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The IC3 Institute is a volunteer-based organisation that provides support to high schools around the world through guidance and training resources for their administrators, teachers and counsellors to help establish and maintain robust career and college counselling departments.

The report mentioned that Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh have the highest number of student suicides. Meanwhile, southern states contribute 29 per cent of these cases. Rajasthan, which has witnessed many such cases recently stands at the 10th position in the report.

"The data compiled by the NCRB is based on police-recorded first information reports (FIRs). However, it is important to acknowledge that the actual number of student suicides is likely underreported. This under-reporting can be attributed to several factors, including the social stigma surrounding suicide and the criminalisation of attempted and assisted suicide under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code," said the report.

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Although the 2017 Mental Healthcare Act decriminalises suicide attempts for individuals with mental illness, the legacy of criminalisation continues to impact reporting practices, it said.

"Moreover, there are significant data discrepancies due to the lack of a robust data collection system, particularly in rural areas, where reporting is less consistent compared to urban regions," it said.

(Disclaimer: If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out to one of these helpline numbers: 022-27546669 (Aasra, Mumbai), +91 44 2464 0050 (Sneha, Chennai), 011-23389090, (Sumaitri, Delhi), 040-66202000 (Roshni, Hyderabad) , +91 11 41198666 (Sangath Tele-Counselling), 1800-599-0019 (Kiran), +918422984528, +91 8422984529 and +91 8422984530 (Samaritans), +91 8448440632 (Manodarpan), 14416 and 1800-891-4416 (Tele-MANAS))

(With inputs from PTI)