Unspoken Struggles: How Stigma Around Mental Health Fuels Student Suicides in India

In recent years, the rising tide of student suicides in India has highlighted an alarming crisis that goes beyond academic pressure—stigma surrounding mental health plays a major role in pushing students to the edge. Despite India’s progress in some mental health policies, deeply rooted societal attitudes prevent many students from seeking help when they need it most.

The Silent Crisis: Stigma and the Mental Health Taboo in India

Mental health in India is often surrounded by a veil of silence and misunderstanding. In student communities, the fear of being labeled as "weak" or "unfit" for competition exacerbates the issue. Students are taught to prioritize academic excellence above all else, leading many to hide their mental health struggles out of fear of judgment. As a result, many suffer in silence, and some tragically choose to end their lives.

A report from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) indicates that over 13,000 student suicides were reported in 2022, with the number of suicides steadily increasing year on year​

This surge coincides with the increase in academic pressure, particularly in education hubs like Kota, where competition is fierce and emotional support is limited​

Academic Pressure: A Deadly Combination

One of the primary drivers of student suicides is the intense academic pressure placed on young people. Students preparing for high-stakes exams, such as the IIT and NEET entrance tests, often describe a sense of suffocating pressure to succeed. The educational system’s overemphasis on marks, combined with expectations from families and society, leaves students feeling as though failure is not an option​

In many cases, this pressure is amplified by financial stress. For families who invest significant resources in coaching and education, failure can feel catastrophic, both for the student and their loved ones. Shakib Khan, a 20-year-old student preparing for the IIT entrance exam, shared his experience with relentless anxiety and sleepless nights, fearing he would not live up to his parents’ expectations​

Such stories are not unique, but they paint a vivid picture of the emotional turmoil that so many students face.

How Stigma Prevents Help-Seeking

The stigma attached to mental health issues compounds the problem. Many students fear that admitting to struggling mentally will make them appear less capable, or that they will face mockery from peers. This “self-stigma” leads them to internalize the belief that they should be able to handle everything on their own, creating a vicious cycle of isolation and despair​

Even within educational institutions, mental health support is sorely lacking. counselling services, where they exist, are often underfunded, understaffed, or inaccessible to students​

There is also a lack of trained professionals capable of providing the right mental health care in the face of such overwhelming need​

For instance, in the city of Kota, several coaching centers have introduced wellness programs, but they remain far from sufficient for the sheer number of students in need​

For students hesitant to seek in-person help due to stigma, accessing a psychologist online in India provides a private, judgment-free space to discuss their mental health challenges.

The Role of Social Media and Cyberbullying

In today’s digital age, social media plays a critical role in exacerbating mental health struggles. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook often present a distorted view of success and happiness, contributing to feelings of inadequacy among students who already feel immense academic pressure​

For many, cyberbullying adds another layer of distress. A student might be ridiculed for poor performance or appearance, further contributing to their feelings of worthlessness​

Breaking the Silence: Solutions for Change

To combat this growing crisis, several steps must be taken to normalize mental health conversations and provide meaningful support to students:

School-Based Mental Health Programs: Educational institutions should integrate mental health awareness into the curriculum and provide accessible counselling services. By normalizing conversations around mental health, schools can encourage students to seek help without fear of stigma.

Parental Education: Parents need to be educated about the signs of mental health struggles and the importance of emotional support. Open communication at home can go a long way in reducing the pressure students feel to meet unrealistic expectations​

Government Initiatives: Programs like Manodarpan, introduced by the Indian Ministry of Education, offer toll-free helplines for students in distress. Expanding such initiatives and ensuring they reach more students can make a difference​

Peer Support and Normalization: Students themselves can be powerful agents of change. By encouraging their peers to talk openly about their challenges, they can help break the cycle of stigma and isolation that so many feel trapped in.

FAQs 

1. Why is mental health stigma still prevalent among Indian students?

Mental health stigma is ingrained in Indian culture, where emotional struggles are often dismissed as weaknesses. Families and institutions tend to emphasize academic and professional success, which leaves little room for open discussions about mental well-being.

2. How does academic pressure contribute to student suicides in India?

The competitive nature of Indian education places immense stress on students to perform well in exams. Failing or underperforming can feel like personal and familial failure, driving some students to despair and suicide​

3. What are the warning signs of mental health issues in students?

Warning signs include withdrawal from social activities, sudden changes in behavior, irritability, and a marked decline in academic performance. In severe cases, students might express hopelessness or thoughts of self-harm.

4. What role do schools play in preventing student suicides?

Schools can play a critical role by providing mental health education, training teachers to recognize mental health issues, and offering confidential counselling services. Schools should foster an environment where students feel safe discussing their struggles​

5. What can parents do to reduce the mental health burden on students?

Parents should maintain open communication with their children, providing emotional support and validating their feelings. Instead of pressuring them to meet unrealistic goals, parents should encourage healthy stress management and resilience

Conclusion

The growing crisis of student suicides in India, fueled by the stigma surrounding mental health, highlights an urgent need for change. Despite progress in some areas, cultural and societal pressures continue to prevent students from seeking help, leading many to suffer in silence. Academic pressure, financial stress, and the fear of being judged or misunderstood contribute to a sense of hopelessness, making it difficult for students to navigate their mental health challenges.

Breaking this cycle requires a concerted effort from all sectors of society. Schools must incorporate mental health education and provide accessible support systems. Parents and teachers need to foster open, non-judgmental communication with students, offering emotional support rather than piling on expectations. Finally, government initiatives must focus on expanding mental health resources and raising awareness to normalize seeking help.

By addressing the stigma head-on, we can create a more supportive environment for students, one where their emotional well-being is valued as much as their academic success. Only then can we begin to stem the tide of student suicides and ensure that young people have the resources and support they need to thrive.

About the Author

Meghana Pradeep is a Senior Psychologist at Click2Pro, specializing in mental health care for young adults and students. With extensive experience, she focuses on destigmatizing mental health issues and promoting emotional well-being in academic settings. Her work combines compassion and expertise, helping to bridge the gap between mental health awareness and actionable support.