Nine per cent of students report suicidal thoughts, finds Supreme Court-appointed panel’s survey
A Supreme Court-appointed panel's survey revealed that 15% of higher education students experienced distress in the past six months, and 9% reported suicidal thoughts. These findings, part of a report addressing student suicides, highlight issues like social discrimination and mental health concerns in higher educational institutions.
Why it matters
This survey reveals a significant mental health crisis among Indian higher education students, prompting urgent attention from policymakers and institutions to address systemic issues like discrimination and lack of support.
About 15% of students in higher education institutions have experienced a period in the previous six months when they felt overwhelmed or distressed, while 9% reported experiencing suicidal thoughts, according to a nationwide survey conducted by the Supreme Court-appointed panel examining student suicides.
The survey findings, accessed by PTI, are expected to be part of the final report of the National Task Force (NTF) to address mental health concerns of students and prevent suicides in higher educational institutions (HEIs), which is expected to be submitted by October 31, 2026.
The survey findings assume significance in the wake of renewed debate on student suicides after the deaths of two students at IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay led to widespread outrage.
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