Mental Health Crisis Among Indian Students: The Alarming Consequences of Competitive Exams

The pressure to excel in competitive exams like NEET and JEE has taken a devastating toll on the mental health of Indian students. The stress and anxiety caused by these exams have led to a growing number of young Indians struggling with mental health issues, with some even resorting to extreme measures.

The problem starts early, with students as young as 14-15 years old beginning to prepare for these exams. The pressure to perform is immense, with many students feeling the weight of their parents’ expectations. To cope with the stress, students often join coaching institutes, which can create a toxic environment with long study hours and a focus on securing top ranks. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, mood swings, fatigue, anger, sadness, and depression.

A recent study in Kota found that over 85% of students spend six to seven hours a day in coaching classes, with some even studying for eight hours. The majority of students want at least one day off to relax and relieve the burden of studying. However, many students are forced to sacrifice their leisure time, leading to poor sleeping patterns and a negative impact on their mental health.

India has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, with over 2.6 lakh cases reported in a year. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data reveals that one student takes their own life every 42 minutes, with an average of 34 student suicides per day. In 2021, 11,396 students below the age of 18 died by suicide, with 864 attributed to “failure in examination”.

The situation is dire, with the suicide rate among students increasing at an alarming rate. In 2022, over 13,000 students died by suicide, accounting for 7.6% of all suicide deaths. The highest percentage of deaths was seen among people with secondary-level education, which amounts to 23.9% of all suicides.

The government has taken some steps to address the issue, including arranging students into sections alphabetically instead of by rank to reduce unhealthy competition and stress. However, addressing the issue of mental health and related disorders is a challenging task in India, complicated by social stigma and a lack of good mental health professionals and services.

There is a need for parents, teachers, and society to recognize the signs of mental health issues and engage in conversations with children to understand their problems. Children should be encouraged to develop coping mechanisms and cultivate hobbies to de-stress. It’s essential to remember that they are not alone and can always seek help from loved ones.

As Manavi Nandini, a class 12 student, and Sanjay Kumar, a professor at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), emphasize, it’s crucial to break the stigma surrounding mental health issues and seek help. By doing so, we can work towards creating a more supportive environment for our young students and preventing the tragic loss of life.