Nearly 40,000 suicides in Kerala since 2021; sharp rise among students

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Student suicides in Kerala have surged by nearly 50% over the past decade, sparking renewed concern over the mental health of schoolchildren.

According to data tabled in the State Assembly, Kerala reported 39,962 suicides between January 2021 and March 2025, with the toll climbing from 6,227 cases in 2021 to 10,994 in 2023. While not all of these deaths involved students, the upward trend highlights a wider mental health crisis.

National figures tell a similar story. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) recorded 13,044 student suicides across India in 2022, a number virtually unchanged from the previous year, pointing to a persistent problem.

In Kerala, certain districts are witnessing a disproportionate impact. Kozhikode alone reported 53 student suicides in the 2022–23 academic year. Experts warn that behind these numbers are stories of academic stress, isolation, and untreated mental health struggles.

The Kerala government has announced a programme to train 3,000 teachers as mental health counsellors, enabling schools to provide frontline support. Education Minister V. Sivankutty said the initiative aims to help teachers identify early signs of distress, offer basic counselling, and connect students to professional services when necessary.

Experts link the rise to mounting academic and social pressures, fragile family environments, and the inability to address the evolving psychological needs of young people. IANS