Increasing Student Suicide Rates in India

Approximately half of India’s 1.2 billion people are under the age of 26, and by 2020 we are forecast to be the youngest country in the world, with a median age of 29 years. With this tremendous forecast, it becomes imperative to ensure an environment that promotes positive well-being. Unfortunately, India has the highest suicide rate in the world among the youth standing at 35.5 per 100,000 people for 2012, the last year for which numbers are available. The reason for such high numbers can be attributed to a lack of economic, social, and emotional resources. More specifically, academic pressure, workplace stress, social pressures, modernization of urban centers, relationship concerns, and the breakdown of support systems. Some researchers have attributed the rise of youth suicide to urbanization and the systematic breakdown of the traditional large family support system. The clash of values within families is an important factor for young people in their lives. As young Indians b...