Kota, known as the coaching hub of India, has recently witnessed a heartrending increase in student suicides, raising serious concerns about the mental well-being of young aspirants preparing for competitive exams like the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The recent incident of Niharika Singh, an 18-year-old JEE aspirant, has added to the string of such misfortunes when she was found hanging in her room with a suicide note addressing her parents, expressing her inability to cope with the JEE preparations and deeming herself a failure.
This distressing case follows the similar demise of Mohammad Zaid, another student stressing over the NEET exam. Aged roughly between 17 and 18, Zaid was discovered hanging in his hostel room in Kota, unable to bear the pressure of the coaching environment. Just earlier in January, a student suicide was reported without any note left behind. Last year alone, Kota grappled with the loss of 29 students to suicide.
These incidents shed light on a broader issue; the tremendous psychological strain placed upon students by both the coaching centers and their parental expectations. Authorities have been criticized for not establishing robust mechanisms to address these challenges. Guidelines issued by the Centre to coaching institutes have been under scrutiny regarding their effectiveness in mitigating the pressure that leads to depression and stress among students. Dr Bharat Singh Shekhawat from Kota Medical College emphasizes the necessity for significant changes in the attitude towards these young learners, who at 15 or 16, miss out on normal schooling amidst a grueling coaching regimen.
The Supreme Court acknowledged the role of parents and the rapid growth of coaching centers in escalating student pressure, which often culminates in suicide. A Public Interest Litigation also pointed out that coaching centers treat students as commodities, a worrying trend that goes beyond Kota and spans nationwide. Meanwhile, Kota’s authorities continue attempting to combat the mental health crisis afflicting its student population. As these distressing events continue, it is a grim reminder of the need for stronger support systems and mental health services for students treading the challenging path of competitive exams.
For those seeking help, several helplines are available across India such as Aasra in Mumbai, Sneha in Chennai, Sumaitri in Delhi, and more, offering a beacon of support in times of dire need. It is crucial that these numbers are disseminated widely to ensure that help is within reach for those struggling with the enormity of their academic and emotional burdens.