Supreme Court Panel Survey Finds Nine Per Cent of Students Experienced Suicidal Thoughts
· India · Hindustan Times, Indian Express
A nationwide survey conducted by a Supreme Court-appointed panel has found that nine per cent of students in higher education institutions experienced suicidal thoughts often or very often over the past year. The survey, which gathered responses from over 2.43 lakh students with 67 per cent belonging to SC, ST, and OBC categories, is part of the National Task Force report due by October 31. The findings also reveal that about 15 per cent of students felt overwhelmed or distressed continuously for several weeks in the preceding six months, while 34 per cent reported feeling like an outsider on campus to varying extents. Furthermore, 56 per cent of respondents expressed trust in campus administration, whereas approximately 32 per cent stated that their institute lacked counselling services. The survey follows widespread public outrage over student deaths at IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay, prompting renewed scrutiny of mental health and caste discrimination in Indian higher education.
Why it matters
The data highlights systemic mental health and discrimination challenges across Indian universities, putting pressure on institutional administrations and policymakers to establish mandatory support systems.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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