Indian Parliamentary Committee Recommends 24/7 Helpline for Students Failing Competitive Exams to Prevent Suicides
A parliamentary committee in India has urged the health ministry to establish a 24×7 helpline that focuses on providing support and counseling to students who fail competitive exams, in an effort to prevent suicides. The committee has also called for measures to track the underlying causes of suicide through the National Suicide Prevention Program and reduce the overall number of suicide cases in the country.
The committee expressed concern over the fact that students and unemployed youth account for the highest number of suicides in India. While suicides among farmers have been recognized as a national crisis, those committed by students have often gone unnoticed and have been addressed on a case-by-case basis. The committee stressed the need for mental health awareness campaigns and education programs to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
To address this issue, the committee has recommended that the health ministry incorporate a provision in its existing helpline to connect with youths who narrowly miss qualifying for competitive exams such as the UPSC-CSE, NEET, SSC, and JEE, and provide them with counseling support to discourage suicide attempts.
In addition, the committee commended the efforts of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS), which aims to reduce the number of suicides in the country by 10% by 2030. The committee has also urged the government to develop specialized mental health care services for children, adolescents, and young people, with a focus on understanding their unique needs.
Furthermore, the committee highlighted the lack of data and evidence regarding mental health issues affecting children, adolescents, and young people in India. To address this, they recommended that the upcoming National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) include provisions to generate comprehensive data on mental health and psychosocial well-being among these demographics, to better understand the prevalence of mental health problems and patterns of suicide.
The committee further suggested the introduction of a dedicated cadre of counselors in schools as part of the ‘Manodarpan’ initiative. They emphasized the importance of inclusive learning spaces that prioritize students’ social and emotional development.
Although the survey conducted in 2015-16 provided valuable insights, the committee recognized that it had limitations. The survey covered only 12 states out of the 36 in India, and the sample size of approximately 40,000 people was relatively small compared to the country’s population. Moreover, the survey relied on self-reporting, which may be subject to recall biases and under-reporting due to the stigma surrounding mental health. It also excluded vulnerable populations, such as homeless individuals, prisoners, and those living in institutions, potentially resulting in an underestimation of mental disorder prevalence.
In conclusion, the parliamentary committee has recommended several measures to address the high suicide rates among students in India. By establishing a 24×7 helpline and implementing mental health awareness programs, it aims to provide crucial support and guidance to youths facing the stress of competitive exams. Additionally, through the National Suicide Prevention Program and improved data collection methods, the committee hopes to better understand the underlying causes of suicide and develop targeted interventions to reduce suicide rates across the country.
