CivilsKash
India’s Alarming Rise in Student Suicides
India has seen a sharp 65% surge in student suicides, rising from 8,423 (2013) to 13,892 (2023) , with cases now occurring even among 9–17-year-olds, reflecting deep mental-health and institutional breakdowns.
The recent death of 16-year-old Shourya Patil highlights school failures in acting on bullying and distress, while clusters in exam months across States like Telangana and UP expose a marks-driven system.
UNICEF 2024 data shows 23% of schoolchildren exhibit psychiatric symptoms, yet counsellor–student ratios remain abysmal and the Supreme Court (2025) guidelines on helplines, trained counsellors and staff sensitisation suffer poor implementation.
Schools lack mental-health budgets, SEL programmes and crisis-response systems, while punitive teaching, bullying normalisation and untrained teachers deepen risks.
Family-level emotional neglect and digital overstimulation further heighten adolescent impulsivity.
Experts call for mandatory counsellors in all schools, phased exams, SEL integration, anti-bullying enforcement and strong family–school partnerships to prevent further loss of young lives.
The recent death of 16-year-old Shourya Patil highlights school failures in acting on bullying and distress, while clusters in exam months across States like Telangana and UP expose a marks-driven system.
UNICEF 2024 data shows 23% of schoolchildren exhibit psychiatric symptoms, yet counsellor–student ratios remain abysmal and the Supreme Court (2025) guidelines on helplines, trained counsellors and staff sensitisation suffer poor implementation.
Schools lack mental-health budgets, SEL programmes and crisis-response systems, while punitive teaching, bullying normalisation and untrained teachers deepen risks.
Family-level emotional neglect and digital overstimulation further heighten adolescent impulsivity.
Experts call for mandatory counsellors in all schools, phased exams, SEL integration, anti-bullying enforcement and strong family–school partnerships to prevent further loss of young lives.