2024 has been a devastating year for students in Telangana and Hyderabad, with a significant rise in suicides and deaths among the student community. The relentless pressure to excel academically, fear of failure, harassment, and family issues have driven many students to take the extreme step of ending their lives.
Key factors
- Examination Pressure: The Intermediate Public Examinations (IPE) results released in April triggered a spate of suicides. Within a short span, seven students who were unable to clear the exams ended their lives. The fear of failure and intense academic pressure have been significant factors contributing to these tragic incidents.
- Harassment in Schools: A Class VII student from Narayana School in Hayathnagar, Hyderabad, died by suicide allegedly due to harassment by teachers. The student’s father claimed that his son was mentally and physically tortured by his teachers, leading to protests outside the school campus.
- Government and Private Institutions: The issue is not restricted to private and corporate educational institutions. Government-run institutions have also reported a series of suicides. For instance, a BC Welfare Residential Educational Institution Society student, Swathi, died by suicide in Sangareddy, and Praveen, a Class VII student from a government residential school in Wanaparthy district, ended his life.
- Online Betting Tragedy: A 21-year-old degree student from Maheshwaram, Ranga Reddy district, died by suicide after losing money in online betting. Sai Kiran, addicted to online betting, set himself on fire after being reprimanded for borrowing money from friends.
Grim Outlook-2024
- In total, 30 student suicides were reported this year. Additionally, nearly 53 students died in welfare hostels due to various reasons, highlighting the grim reality faced by the student community.
Mental Health Concerns:
The series of suicides has turned the focus on the mental well-being of students in educational institutions. Continuous counseling and support are essential to address the mental health issues faced by students. According to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), warning signs of suicide include extreme mood swings, social withdrawal, anger outbursts, impulsive behavior, and expressions of hopelessness and worthlessness.
Helplines for Support:
- Tele-Manas: 14416
- AASRA: 9820466726
- Vandrevala Foundation: 9999666555
As we reflect on this year, it is crucial to acknowledge the importance of mental health support and create a nurturing environment for students to thrive without fear and pressure.
