Academic pressure, Institutional failure behind student suicide crisis, says SC task force
New Delhi | Desk: The National Task Force constituted by the Supreme Court to address the rising number of student suicides in the country's higher education institutions has submitted its shocking report. The task force, headed by retired Justice Ravindra Bhat, conducted a survey among approximately 12.8 lakh students and millions of parents and teachers across the country. The report identifies academic pressure and institutional failures as the main causes of the mental health crisis.
According to the report, suicide has emerged as the second leading cause of death for men and the leading cause of death for women in the 15-29 age group. The gravity of the situation can be gauged from the fact that 40 students have died by suicide in IITs alone in the last 30 months.
The task force found that students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), students with disabilities, and those from rural backgrounds face discrimination and a lack of confidence in these institutions.
Although mechanisms like 'Equal Opportunity Cells' and 'Internal Complaints Committees' are mandatory under the rules to prevent such discrimination, the report describes them as merely symbolic or superficial. In many institutions, these committees do not function independently and often side with influential perpetrators, leading to victims fearing to file complaints.
Furthermore, harmful practices like ragging continue under the guise of "friendly introductions," and the administration often turns a blind eye.
In the survey, students cited excessive academic burden, shortage of faculty, strict attendance policies, and placement stress as the basis of their mental distress. The pressure of research and poor relationships with supervisors, especially in PhD programs and technical institutions, are further exacerbating the situation.
Shockingly, 65 percent of institutions do not have any mental health support facilities on campus.
Taking a strong stance on this report, the Supreme Court clarified on January 15 that providing a safe and inclusive environment for students is a constitutional responsibility of the institutions. The court extended the task force's tenure until June 30 and directed it to prepare model Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for mental health services and well-being audits.
