SC Sets up Task Force to Address Student Suicides

Syllabus: GS1-Society/GS2-Governance

Context

• The Supreme Court has set up a national task force to address students’ mental health concerns and prevent suicides in higher educational institutions.

About

• The Supreme Court noted that student suicides in higher educational institutions, including IITs, have increased, surpassing the number of farmer suicides due to agrarian distress.
• The recurring incidents highlight the institutional frameworks in addressing student mental health, emphasizing the need for better mechanisms to prevent suicides.

Task Force Established

• 10-Member Task Force: Formed to investigate causes of student suicides, including ragging, caste-based discrimination, academic pressure, financial stress, and mental health stigma.
• Assessment of Current Frameworks: The task force will evaluate the effectiveness of existing laws, policies, and frameworks in higher education and suggest improvements.
• Authority for Surprise Inspections: The task force has the authority to conduct surprise inspections at higher education institutions.
• Flexible Mandate: The task force can make recommendations beyond its specified mandate if necessary.
• Reporting Timeline: The court has ordered the task force to present an interim report within four months and a final report within eight months.

Student’s Suicide in India

• As per the Report of the National Crime Records Bureau 2022, over 13,000 students having lost their lives by committing suicide in the country. 
• Surge in Student Suicides: Student suicides in India have risen at an alarming annual rate of 4%, double the national average.
• Gender Trends: Between 2021-2022, male suicides decreased by 6%, while female suicides increased by 7%.
• States: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh account for one-third of student suicides. 

Reasons for the Rise in Student’s Suicide

• Academic Pressure: Intense competition and high expectations in educational institutions, particularly in coaching hubs like Kota.
• Mental Health Issues: Increasing rates of depression, anxiety, and stress among students, with inadequate mental health support systems.
• Social Stigma: Stigma surrounding mental health, discouraging students from seeking help.
• Caste and Gender Discrimination: Discrimination based on caste, gender, and other social factors within academic institutions.
• Family and Financial Strain: Pressure from families to perform well academically, often combined with financial difficulties.
• Failure and Academic Setbacks: Struggles with failing exams, academic underachievement, and fear of failure leading to despair.
• Lack of Support Systems: Insufficient counseling services and mental health infrastructure in educational institutions.
• Social Media and Peer Pressure: The impact of social media on self-esteem, comparison with peers, and bullying.

Government Initiatives

• Manodarpan Initiative: The Union Education Ministry launched ‘Manodarpan,’ a program providing psychological support to students through a national toll-free helpline and website.
• Rajasthan Government Actions: Issued mental health guidelines in 2022 and 2023, enforced by district administrations.
  • Appointed 90 psychological counselors to support students.
  • Introduced a toll-free helpline for student assistance.
  • 10,000 hostel gatekeepers have been trained to identify signs of mental distress among students.
• Dinner with DM Initiative in Kota: A program where students in distress can meet district administration officials for support and counselling.
• Helpline for Support: Students facing distress or suicidal tendencies can call the helpline at 104 for assistance.
• National Mental Health Policy: Focused on improving mental health infrastructure and awareness in educational institutions.

Way Ahead

• Need for Mental Health Focus: The IC3 (Career Counseling Program) Institute emphasizes the need for a shift in educational focus to prioritize student well-being over competitive pressures.
• NCRB Report: The report advocates for a robust, integrated career and college counseling system within institutions to address mental health challenges and student aspirations.
  • The report stresses the importance of shifting the focus from academic competition to nurturing students’ core competencies and well-being to prevent further suicides.

Source: IE