Rising Suicide Crisis Among India’s Children and Young Adults

 The relentless pressure on young adults and children to succeed, perform, and constantly prove themselves is causing severe anxiety and fear.

Alongside academic stress and social isolation, children often bear emotional burdens while parents are preoccupied with work and financial concerns. The lack of accessible mental health support and awareness only compounds the problem. Rising suicide numbers reflect a society where discussing mental health is still stigmatized.

Recent Incidents: A Nation in Distress

• August 22, 2025: A Class 10 student in Telangana’s Nirmal district died by suicide after his parents confiscated his phone due to PUBG addiction.

• August 22, 2025: 17-year-old IIIT-Ongole student Narasimha Naidu was found dead in his hostel bathroom in Andhra Pradesh’s YSR district, suspected suicide.

• August 16, 2025: A 24-year-old BTech student at Sharda University, Greater Noida, ended his life in his hostel room, leaving a note criticizing the education system and requesting a fee refund.

• August 2, 2025: A 26-year-old IIT Bombay student from Delhi jumped from his hostel terrace.

• July 31, 2025: A 19-year-old BTech student in Greater Noida committed suicide at home after being caught cheating in an exam.

• July 28, 2025: A Class 10 student in Tripura died by suicide after a teacher allegedly humiliated her by throwing her answer sheet.

• July 26, 2025: A final-year BDS student in Udaipur died by suicide, leaving a note accusing teachers of harassment.

Statistics: A Grim Reality

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) recorded 13,089 student suicides in 2022—a 4.5% increase from 2020. A UNICEF report found that 14% of Indian youth regularly feel depressed, yet stigma prevents most from seeking help. These numbers indicate a deeply worrying trend, with children and young adults at the heart of the crisis.

Causes: What’s Driving This Trend?

Mental health experts identify key factors such as intense academic competition, societal expectations, cyberbullying, and lack of professional support in schools. The coaching culture has transformed education into a high-pressure battlefield. COVID-19 worsened the situation by causing isolation, disrupted routines, and heightened domestic stress. According to child rights advocate Anvi Kumar, most Indian schools still lack proper counseling support.

Solutions: How Can India Respond?

With student suicide rates surpassing those of farmers and children as young as 12 taking their own lives, urgent action is needed. India must break its silence on mental health. The tragic stories from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Greater Noida, Mumbai, Tripura, and Udaipur highlight a nationwide crisis.

Steps that can help:

1. Safe Schools: Every school should have full-time counselors trained in child and adolescent psychology. Mental health programs and peer-support initiatives must be included in extracurricular activities. Parents should prioritize emotional well-being over rankings and infrastructure.

2. Parent and Teacher Awareness: Parents and teachers must be prepared to recognize warning signs. Positive reinforcement and emotional support should replace pressure and neglect. Teachers need professional training; parents should remain informed and attentive.

3. Normalize Seeking Help: Mental health check-ups should become routine. Encourage self-awareness, self-care, and reaching out for support. Seeking help is strength, not shame.

From Delhi’s school corridors to Kota’s hostels and Kolkata’s homes, India must cultivate a culture where asking for help is seen as courage. Replacing pressure with presence, silence with support, and fear with compassion is the first step toward reducing this crisis.

Dr. Shradha Malik
Founder & CEO
Athena Behavioral Health