Supreme Court Calls for Action: Addressing Student Suicides and Mental Health in Education

The Supreme Court of India has highlighted the alarming impact of the score-based education system and fierce competition on students' mental health. Recognizing a rise in student suicides, it formed a National Task Force to improve support and mitigate causes of distress among students.

The Supreme Court of India has raised concerns over the detrimental impact of a score-driven education system and intense competition for seats in prestigious institutions on students' mental well-being. On Monday, a bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan emphasized the urgent need for holistic guidelines addressing these pressures.

Recognizing the troubling increase in student suicides across college campuses, the court established a National Task Force (NTF) to tackle mental health challenges. The bench underscored the multifaceted responsibilities of universities, urging them to enhance support systems for students facing crises.

Pointing to alarming statistics, the court noted that over 13,000 student suicides were reported in 2021 alone, with conditions exacerbated by caste-based discrimination. The NTF, led by former Justice S Ravindra Bhat, aims to address these systemic issues, calling for comprehensive institutional reforms.

(With inputs from agencies.)