National Task Force Formed To Prevent Student Suicide

Why in News?

Recently, the Supreme Court of India expressed serious concern over the rising cases of student suicides in higher educational institutions. To address this issue, the court has formed a National Task Force (NTF). This task force will investigate the causes of suicides and suggest safety measures.

Supreme Court’s Order on Rising Student Suicides

• The Supreme Court of India has expressed serious concern over the increasing cases of student suicides in higher educational institutions. 
• The court stated that these incidents show that the existing institutional systems for protecting students’ mental health are still weak.
• In many cases, factors such as caste discrimination, ragging, academic pressure, and sexual harassment have been identified as the main reasons for student suicides. 
• The repeated occurrence of such incidents highlights major flaws in the current legal and institutional frameworks.
• To address this issue, the Supreme Court has formed a National Task Force (NTF). Its aim is to investigate the causes of suicides.
• The task force has been ordered to submit an interim report within four months and a final report within eight months.

Major Causes of Rising Student Suicides in India

• Academic Pressure: Today’s educational environment is highly competitive. Success is seen as the only option. Students face immense pressure to score high marks, secure top grades, and get admission into prestigious colleges. Failure is often seen as a social stigma, causing students to feel hopeless.
• Parental Expectations: In Indian society, parents often impose their aspirations on their children. The pressure of meeting family expectations becomes overwhelming. Many students fail to recognize their own dreams, leading to frustration and mental health issues.
• Ragging and Discrimination: Ragging, caste-based discrimination, and social humiliation are major causes of student suicides. Students from marginalized communities often face discrimination in institutions. This makes them feel isolated and unwelcome. Physical and mental harassment during ragging also breaks their confidence.
• Financial Stress: Many students come from economically weaker backgrounds. The high fees of educational institutions, coaching expenses, and daily living costs create financial pressure. Some students are forced to work part-time to support themselves. Financial struggles often affect their academic performance, leading to feelings of failure.
• Loneliness: In today’s fast-paced world, loneliness is a common problem. Many students live far from their families in hostels or rented accommodations. Without emotional support from family or friends, they suffer silently. Social isolation often pushes them into depression.

National Task Force (NTF) by Supreme Court

To find solutions to the rising cases of student suicides in India, the Supreme Court has formed a 10-member National Task Force (NTF).

Objectives of the Task Force:

• To identify the causes that lead students to commit suicide.
  
• To investigate issues like ragging, harassment, caste discrimination, and financial stress.
• To suggest safety measures and inspect institutions when required.
• To promote a zero-tolerance policy on ragging, discrimination, and academic pressure.

Structure of the Task Force:

• The task force will be led by former judge S. Ravindra Bhat.
• Ex-officio members will include secretaries from the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Law Department, and Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• Experts will also be included for detailed analysis.

Powers of the Task Force:

• The task force can conduct surprise inspections at any educational institution in the country.
• It will review mental health policies, anti-ragging measures, and support systems in institutions.
• It will evaluate existing laws and policies to check if they are sufficient for student welfare.
• If needed, the task force can make recommendations beyond its original mandate.

Timeline:

• The task force has been asked to submit an interim report within four months and a final report within eight months.
• The interim report will cover initial findings and quick solutions.
• The final report will provide long-term policy changes and detailed safety recommendations.

Student Suicide Statistics in India

• Over the past decade, student suicides in India have become a serious concern, with thousands of young individuals taking their own lives each year.
• According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2022 report, 13,044 student suicide cases were recorded, showing a slight decrease of 0.3% from the previous year.
• Between 2013 and 2022, there was a 64% increase in student suicides, indicating that the problem is continuously growing.
• As per a UNICEF report, one in seven young individuals aged 15-24 years in India suffers from mental health issues such as depression.
• Shockingly, only 41% of individuals seek help for mental health problems. Most students struggle with loneliness, depression, and stress in silence.
• According to data presented by the Central Government in the Rajya Sabha in 2023, 98 students from higher educational institutions committed suicide between 2018 and 2023.
• Out of these, 39 students were from IITs, 25 from NITs, and 25 from Central Universities.
• In Kota, Rajasthan, known for its coaching centers, 571 student suicides were recorded in 2022, placing it 10th among states.
• States like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh account for one-third of total student suicides in India.
• The southern states and union territories recorded 29% of the total student suicides, indicating that academic competition is taking a toll on students.
• According to a report by the IC3 Institute, student suicides in India are increasing by 4% every year.

Global and National Initiatives to Prevent Suicides

1. Global Initiatives
   • World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD): WSPD is observed on 10th September every year. It was first launched in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The goal is to create awareness and show that suicide can be prevented.
   • World Mental Health Day: It is observed on 10th October every year. It is a global platform to raise awareness about mental health issues. The objective is to show that mental health is as important as physical health.
2. National Initiatives
   • Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: This act gives legal recognition to the right to mental healthcare. Its goal is to provide better treatment for people with mental illnesses. The act decriminalizes suicide attempts, viewing it as a mental health issue rather than a criminal act.
   • KIRAN Helpline: It was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It is a 24×7 toll-free helpline for people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The helpline has helped many people, especially from underprivileged sections.
   • Manodarpan Initiative: It was launched by the Ministry of Education during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides psychological and emotional support to students, teachers, and parents. It helps in managing stress, depression, and other mental health issues.
   • National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2023): This was India’s first-ever suicide prevention strategy, announced in 2023. The goal is to reduce the suicide rate by 10% by 2030. It includes time-bound action plans and multi-sectoral collaboration. The strategy aligns with the WHO South-East Asia Region’s suicide prevention plan.

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