Student Suicide Rate Higher Than Overall Suicide Rate In India: Report

In a shocking revelation, the student suicide rate has increased drastically on the annual rate. It has surpassed the population growth rate and the overall suicide rates. Over the last five years, the suicide rate of boys increased by 50 per cent and girls’ suicide rate by 61 per cent. These rates are about reported cases. Many cases of student suicide remain unreported because of the stigma around suicide and mental health illness. 

The data was revealed in a report titled, “Student suicides: An epidemic sweeping India” which is based on National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB). The report was released on August 28 at the Annual IC3 Conference and Expo 2024.

IC3 Institute which compiled the report is a volunteer-based organisation that supports high schools across the country. It aims at establishing good career and college counselling for students. The organisation used measures like guidance and training of the teachers, administrators and counsellors to maintain the counselling process. 

Student suicide rate more than overall suicide rate

The report, as quoted by NDTV, stated that the overall suicide rate in the country has increased by two per cent over the past two decades. However, the suicide rate among students has increased by four per cent, which is double the rate of the overall suicide rate.

The reports which have been compiled by IC3 institute stated, “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.”

Over the past decade, the rate of student suicide increased more than the population growth. As per the report, the population growth of India of the ages 0-24 years old has decreased from 582 million to 581 million. However, the suicide rate of students has increased from 6,654 to 13,044. 

State-wise student suicide rates

The report stated that Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu alone account for one-third of the total student suicide rates in the country. These states have the highest number of student suicide rates in India. 

On the other hand, Southern states and Union Territories make up 29 per cent of the total student suicide rate. Rajasthan which is the hub of coaching centres is at the 10th position in the student suicide rate in India. 

Limitations of the data collection: most cases unreported

As said above, the data revealed here is based on the suicides that have been reported. NCRB contains data on those cases in which FIR was registered. Many cases of student suicide have been suppressed due to the stigma around mental health illness and the history of the criminalisation of suicide. 

Earlier, suicide or attempt to suicide was criminalised in Indian law under section 309 of the Indian Penal Code. However, in 2017, it was decriminalised. by the Mental Healthcare Act. 

Highlighting the limitations of the data collection method, the report 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.”

Solutions to decrease the suicide rate

Ganesh Kohli, the founder of IC3 organisation said that this report is a reminder of the lack of understanding of mental health and the need to address it in the learning institutes. 

Kohli said that learning institutes must foster the competencies of students and focus on their overall well-being rather than pushing them into competing with each other. 

He further stated that there is a need to inculcate “systematic, comprehensive, and robust career and college counselling system” in the institutions and the learning curriculum.  

Suggesting solutions to the issue of mental health of students and rising suicide rates, the report stated that there is a need for “enhanced counseling infrastructure and a deeper understanding of student aspirations.”

Students must not be encouraged to compete with each other. Rather learning institutions must focus on their entire well-being to prevent such tragedies in future. 
The latest NCRB report released in 2022 said that housewives accounted for the highest nunver of suicides. 25, 309 housewives died by suicide which was the highest over the past five years. Between 2018 and 2022, the suicide rate of housewives was twice the number of suicide rates of the farmers. 14.8 per cent of the total suicide rate were among homemakers.