Going to college is the time for growth, freedom, and opportunity. But for many students in India, it’s also a period marked by overwhelming pressure — to perform, to succeed, and to make families proud. This pressure, often invisible, can spiral into something far darker. On World Suicide Prevention Day today, 10th September, let’s talk about academic stress and its link to student suicides.
“When students stumble, whether through a failed exam or an unmet expectation, they face disappointment. Many begin to internalise the failure, feeling worthless, anxious, or even suicidal," says Srishti Kriplani, Psychologist, COPE Club Mpower, Mumbai.
According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), over 13,000 students in India died by suicide in 2023 alone. Behind every number is a young life overwhelmed by pressure. “Academic stress, along with financial insecurity, peer comparison, loneliness, and social media adds to the worry," explains Kriplani.
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Many students, those living away from home for the first time, face emotional isolation.
Meanwhile, the stigma around mental health makes it harder to ask for help. “Fears of being seen as weak or letting parents down only deepen the silence. And when self-worth becomes tied only to grades or placements, even small setbacks feel life-shattering,” informs Kriplani.
Kriplani shares tips to encourage support, provide mental health care and teach life skills:
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- Normalise conversations: Openly about stress, setback, and the reality of failure at home and in classrooms.
- Value effort over outcome: Praise resilience and consistency instead of only top scores or placements.
- Create safe spaces: Schools and colleges must foster non-judgemental environments where students can speak up.
- Build peer networks: Support groups and campus buddy systems can prevent isolation.
- Offer accessible counselling: Every institute should have mental health professionals and regular workshops.
- Teach life skills: Mindfulness, time management, and self-care must be part of the curriculum.
- Challenge stigma: Help-seeking should be seen as strength, not shame.
- Support parents: Families should be guided to shift expectations and recognise signs of stress.
- Rethink success: Encourage students to define success on their own terms, not society’s.
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