Every year, more than 7,03,000 people around the world die by suicide. In India, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 1,70,924 suicides are recorded annually. This amounts to 468 deaths per day, 20 per hour, and one every 184 seconds. Family problems (31.7%) and illness (18.4%) are the leading causes of these deaths, as reported by the NCRB.
Collaboration between the government, businesses, parents, educators, and society at large is needed to address suicide as a public health emergency. The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) established World Suicide Prevention Day in 2003 in response to the growing concern about suicide around the world. Since many individuals are ignorant of the causes, warning indicators, and preventative measures for suicide, it was created to increase awareness. The day promotes global awareness of mental health and suicide prevention and aids in public education.
One critical aspect of this issue is the immense pressure faced by students, many of whom take their lives out of fear of failure. The expectation to score near-perfect marks to secure their future can create a mental burden, pushing students into depression and ultimately leading to suicide. The suicides in Kota are particularly heartbreaking, where students, unable to meet the pressures of their dreams, especially in exams like the UPSC, have ended their lives.
With three months still remaining in the year, 15 student suicides have already been reported in Kota in 2024. Last year, 29 students took their lives. This year, the 14 additional deaths occurred on January 24 and 29; February 2, 13, and 20; March 8, 26, and 28; April 29 and 30; June 6, 16, and 27; and July 4. We must give students a message of comfort: “It’s okay if it doesn’t happen—don’t take your life over this. Your life is far more precious than any exam in the world.
There are many different reasons why people ponder suicide, and they need someone to listen to them and be there for them when they struggle. Creating an atmosphere where people feel comfortable talking about their emotions without worrying about being judged is essential. It is possible to prevent suicide by lowering the stigma associated with it, providing emotional support, and promoting candid discussions about mental health. As a society, we have to realize that asking for assistance is a show of strength rather than weakness. Together, we can provide hope, stop suicides, and make sure that nobody experiences loneliness during their darkest hours.