As a teacher, I am connected to the school education system for a couple of years. I got a chance to interact with many students and understand their mindsets and psychology. Yesterday, I told you about the control of the rich and politicians on school education. Today, I will talk about a very sensitive topic of suicide by school children. It has become very common in India to hear the news of suicide and Suicides are increasing in India at a speed of 7%. Generally, students look very energetic and friendly in nature, therefore, it is very hard to expect that one of them may commit suicide in the near future. This incident happened to one of my students whom I taught in the seventh and eighth classes. She was a sharp student and always worked hard to increase her scores in class. She was also good at interacting with other students and participating in school completion. I got shocked when I hear news of suicide by her. Now she was in the eleventh standard and I haven't seen her for three years but still, it was quite shocking that she committed suicide.
The issue of school children committing suicide is a complex and multifaceted problem that cannot be attributed to a single cause. It is important to approach this topic with sensitivity and understanding, as it involves deeply personal and sensitive matters. While it is challenging to generalize the reasons why school children may resort to such extreme measures, several factors can be behind this action of the students. We can try to pinpoint some of these reasons to find the answers to this complex problem.
1) High Academic pressure: Today we live in an Intense academic competition and high expectations from parents or society lead to high pressure to excel academically on the students. These things place significant stress on students. No one wants to fail in life and the fear of failure or not meeting expectations leads to feelings of hopelessness and despair among students. Those students who fail to control these feelings sometimes commit suicide.
2) Bullying and peer pressure: Students experiencing bullying, social exclusion, or harassment at school are very common these days and we hear much news regarding such incidences regularly. These things can severely impact the mental well-being of a student. There is a huge peer pressure on students to conform to societal norms also contributes to feelings of isolation and depression. When this depression becomes high then students take drastic steps like committing suicide.
3) Mental health issues: Today, it is common for children to have many mental health issues which mostly remain undiagnosed or untreated. They may have mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, or bipolar disorder that can increase the risk of suicide. Many factors such as genetics, chemical imbalances in the brain, or traumatic life events contribute to the development of mental health issues in children.
4) Family problems: Large numbers of families in India now have family issues and problems. Therefore, difficulties within the family environment, such as strained relationships, abuse, neglect, or parental expectations, can significantly impact a child's emotional well-being. Family issues can create a sense of helplessness because a child considers his family the most important and safest thing in life. When a student feels unsafe in the family then he or she becomes depressed or mentally ill.
5) Lack of support: The biggest worry for the students is that they are at a stage of life where they are very innocent and vulnerable to external abuse. They have insufficient access to mental health and support services, counselling, or a lack of awareness about available resources that can provide them help. This helplessness leaves students feeling isolated and without the necessary help to cope with their challenges.
6) Social and cultural factors: Societal stigmas surrounding mental health, cultural norms, and a lack of awareness or understanding about mental health issues can prevent students from seeking help or discussing their struggles openly.
It is crucial to remember that each individual's circumstances are unique, and a combination of several factors may contribute to their vulnerability.
The issue of school children's suicide requires a comprehensive approach that involves promoting mental health awareness, fostering supportive environments in schools and homes, providing accessible mental health resources, and implementing preventive measures such as anti-bullying campaigns and stress management programs. Early identification, intervention, and ongoing support for at-risk students are vital in preventing these tragic events and promoting overall well-being.
