A young adult preparing for the Indian national medical entrance exam said this in a note he left behind when he died by suicide last year.

Every year more and more young students are dying by suicide in India, as they succumb to the excess pressures of our educational systems and the weight of unrealistic expectations. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, over 13,044 students died by suicide, with 2,095 deaths due to failure in examinations in just the year 2022. In fact, in the ten years leading up to 2022, student suicides grew at 4 per cent, double the national rate.

Dr Nimesh Desai, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and former Director of IHBAS, probably summarised the kind of pressure that we subject our young the best: “Adolescence, combined with critical exams, creates immense pressure. The rapid pace of societal change, growing competition, and aspirational middle-class expectations all contribute to this strain. The social importance attached to marks—‘Bache ne kitne marks laye’—adds to the stress.”

However, it is high time we looked at why and how are we failing are young, that they feel that the only way out of the pressure cooker that we are constantly cooking them in is such drastic measures.

At First Check, we understand that mental health is the cornerstone of a healthy society, and is as important as physical health.

So next time, if you are tempted to ask a young one about their grades, try and ask them about their hobbies instead.

Before you push your child to pursue competitive exams, try talking to them about  their dreams and aspirations too.

Before you admonish them for their failures, celebrate their talents.

Our children deserve better.