Mains Daily Question
April 19, 2023

The recently released NCRB’s ADSI report indicates that the number of student suicides has increased substantially in India. In this context, enumerate the possible reasons behind this increasing trend of student suicide in India. Also, discuss some potential solutions to deal with this issue.

Model Answer

Approach:

Introduction: Define suicide as a complex sociological behaviour and give the data showing the increase in suicide cases.

Body: Enumerate the possible reasons and give the potential solutions for the same.

Conclusion: Give a holistic summary.

Answer:

Suicide is a complex issue that can have multiple underlying causes, and it is difficult to pinpoint a single factor that can account for the prevalence of suicide among educated youth in India. The recent report from NCRB’s ADSI indicates that the number of student suicides increased by 32% between 2017 and 2021. E.g., Suicides in IITs, IISCs etc.

Possible reasons for this trend:

  1. Pressure and competition that young people face in India's education system, can lead to high levels of stress and anxiety. E.g., Students preparing for IIT JEE, NEET, UPSC CSE etc
  2. Lack of social support and stigma surrounding mental health issues in India may discourage young people from seeking help when they are struggling. E.g., isolating and making a mockery of health issues like depression.
  3. Rapid socio-economic changes in India have created a stressful and uncertain environment for young people, particularly in urban areas, where social isolation, lack of job opportunities and economic hardship are rampant.
  4. Influence of social media and online activities can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and social comparison, leading to low self-esteem, depression, and suicidal thoughts. E.g., the Fear of Missing Out effect of Instagram etc.
  5. High Social Expectations: Expectations of parents for a Crore plus placement in IITs and IIMs.
  6. Other Issues: Online Gaming, Debt Pressures, Relationship Discords, Poor Sex Ratio in Top Institutions, Drug Prevalence, Abuse and overuse of liquor, poor work-life Balance etc.

Possible solutions to the issue:

  1. Raise awareness about mental health issues: Learn the warning signs of suicide and take them seriously. Ask the youth directly if they are thinking about suicide.
  2. Stable, safe physical and emotional home environment: E.g., Proper communication about stress.
  3. Spend quality time with young people: E.g., Listen to them, not only to what is being said but also to what is not being said.
  4. Provide access to treatment for mental health. physical health, and substance abuse disorders. E.g., suicide prevention programs, counselling and therapy.
  5. Provide peer support and familial and community support. E.g., Student Welfare Group in IIT Kharagpur.
  6. Educate youth and parents about suicide prevention, including the warning signs, and how to seek help when needed.
  7. Build resilience among youth by helping them develop coping skills that can help them deal with stress and difficult times.
  8. 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
  9. Reform in the education system: competition and pressure can be reduced and alternate career paths can be explored. Finally, social media literacy and awareness of online risks and cyberbullying should also be emphasized.

Initiatives taken by the Government for Mental Health promotion are:

  • Mental Healthcare Act, 2017;
  • Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment launched KIRAN, a toll-free 24/7 mental health helpline;
  • India National Suicide Prevention Strategy for prevention of suicide cases across the country;
  • National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) since 1982,
  • Issuance and dissemination of detailed guidelines by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Online capacity building of health workers by NIMHANS in providing psychosocial support and training through (iGOT)-Diksha platform.

Reducing suicide in youth involves taking a multifaceted approach that addresses underlying social, psychological and situational factors that can contribute to suicidal ideation. Thus, as a society, we must be much more open about mental health issues, make cumulative efforts to solve them and eventually turn our students and youth into a demographic dividend.

Subjects : Social Issues Current Affairs
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