Student Suicides In Kerala Surge By 50% In A Decade
Student suicides in Kerala have increased by nearly 50 per cent over the past decade, raising fresh alarm over the mental health of schoolchildren.
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- From: India News Bull
Thiruvananthapuram:
Kerala has witnessed an alarming 50 percent increase in student suicides over the last decade, prompting serious concerns about schoolchildren's mental wellbeing.
Statistics presented to the State Assembly reveal that between January 2021 and March 2025, Kerala documented 39,962 suicides. The numbers show a worrying upward trajectory, rising from 6,227 in 2021 to 10,994 in 2023.
While these figures include all demographics, they reflect a broader national crisis. According to NCRB data, 13,044 students took their own lives across India in 2022, a figure virtually unchanged from the previous year.
Certain regions in Kerala face particularly severe challenges. For instance, Kozhikode district recorded 53 student suicides during the 2022-23 academic year. Mental health professionals emphasize that many of these tragedies could have been prevented through proper counseling and robust school support systems.
The tragic story of Ashirnanda, a 14-year-old ninth-grade student from Sreekrishnapuram in Palakkad, illustrates the personal devastation behind these statistics. She reportedly ended her life at home after enduring repeated ridicule from teachers, leaving behind unfinished artwork and a new school record book. Her parents, Prashanth and Sajitha, continue their quest for justice.
"She was a bright child with dreams. But the humiliation she suffered broke her spirit," her father said.
In response to this crisis, Kerala's government has initiated a program to train 3,000 teachers as mental health counselors, enabling schools to provide immediate support. Education Minister V. Sivankutty explained that this initiative aims to equip teachers with skills to recognize early distress signals, offer basic counseling, and connect students with professional services when needed.
Specialists attribute the increase to growing academic and social pressures, unstable family environments, and inadequate responses to young people's evolving psychological needs.
However, experts warn that most schools still operate without professional counselors, and existing programs are hindered by poor coordination and ineffective referral mechanisms.
Child rights advocates also emphasize the importance of accountability in harassment cases. "Justice for victims like Ashirnanda is essential, but equally important is building safeguards so no child feels abandoned or humiliated," noted one activist.