The number of student suicides in India has seen a worrying surge over the past decade, with data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) showing a 65% rise between 2013 and 2023. The steep climb in student suicides has outpaced the overall increase in suicide deaths in the country, raising urgent concerns about mental health, academic stress, and the socio-economic pressures faced by India’s youth.

Sharp rise in student suicides

In 2013, India recorded 8,423 student suicides. A decade later, in 2023, this number rose to 13,892, reflecting an alarming upward trend. Between 2019 and 2023 alone, the increase was 34%, indicating that the crisis has accelerated in recent years.When placed in the larger picture, the contrast is stark. Total suicide deaths in the country rose 27% over the past decade: from 1.35 lakh in 2013 to 1.71 lakh in 2023. Compared to 1.39 lakh in 2019, the total suicide toll in 2023 represents a 23% rise.

Students’ share of total suicides grows

Students formed 8.1% of the total suicide deaths in 2023, a significant rise from 6.2% in 2013. The rising proportion indicates that young people are increasingly vulnerable compared to other sections of society.

Why the trend is alarming

Mental health experts attribute this rise to increased academic competition, unemployment fears, family pressures, financial distress, and lack of robust mental health support systems. The pandemic years are also believed to have exacerbated feelings of isolation, anxiety, and uncertainty among students.The growing rate of student suicides, outstripping the national average, highlights the need for targeted interventions in schools, universities, and coaching centres, alongside broader awareness about counseling, stress management, and support networks.

Supporting students’ mental health: What can be done

Schools and colleges need trained counsellors, 24/7 helplines, and stress management workshops to help students cope with academic pressure. Teachers should recognise warning signs like withdrawal or falling grades and guide students to professional help. Peer support programs and student-led mental health clubs can reduce isolation and normalise conversations about stress. Families play a key role by focusing on effort over marks and understanding the pressure students face. Policy measures, such as exam reforms and wider access to counsellors, along with financial support like scholarships, can ease stress. Encouraging healthy habits like exercise, hobbies, mindfulness, and proper sleep also strengthens resilience. Together, these steps can create a safer, supportive environment for students to thrive.