B'luru grapples with escalating student pressure, suicide cases

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: In recent times, Bengaluru has witnessed a disturbing surge in student pressure, in an alarming increase in suicide cases.

The reasons behind this rise are complex and multifaceted, with various sources contributing to the overwhelming burden placed on the young shoulders of students in the city.

Tragically, various incidents of suicide have been reported in the city over the past few months.

• In August of the previous year, a 15-year-old girl took her own life by jumping from the 12th floor of her apartment building.
• In January, a 21-year-old student ended her life after reportedly being denied permission by her parents to participate in a New Year’s Eve photoshoot at a mall.
• Another distressing incident involved a first-year engineering student who fatally shot himself in the chest with his father's licensed double-barrel gun at their residence last month.
• Additionally, a 12-year-old Class 7 girl allegedly committed suicide by jumping from the 29th-floor balcony of a residential apartment on Begur Road in January.
• Furthermore, another student from PES University died after allegedly jumping from the sixth floor of a building on the university's Electronic City campus in January.
• In December, a first-year Hotel Management student from a private college reportedly consumed sleeping pills, leading to her tragic death.

These distressing incidents highlight the urgent need for mental health awareness and support systems in the community.

Life coach Adarsh Benkappa Basavaraj sheds light on the parental aspect of this issue, identifying three key stressors.

Firstly, the rampant culture of comparing children to their peers creates an unhealthy environment where academic achievement becomes a measure of self-worth.

Parents, often driven by unfulfilled aspirations, push their children to achieve the academic milestones they couldn't.

The unrealistic expectation of scoring 99%, pursuing competitive exams, and aiming for prestigious institutes adds to the mounting pressure.

Additionally, the constant comparison to the past, with anecdotes of studying under street lamps, fails to acknowledge the exponential increase in competition over the years.

Teachers, regarded as second parents, play a pivotal role in shaping a student's academic journey.

However, inef ficiencies among educators can inadvertently burden students as they are compelled to self-learn. Unforeseen circumstances or syllabus disruptions prompt teachers to cram lessons, intensifying the stress on students.

Although there has been a positive shift towards supportive teaching, this culture needs wider adoption to ensure educators are equipped to address the psychological well-being of their students.

Pradeep Rawat, a parent and the founder and president of the All India Students Association highlights the societal pressure emanating from various sources.

The modern era's hyper-connected environment exposes students to the accomplishments of their peers, magnifying the desire for success.

The glorification of top-ranking students in competitive exams through media and social platforms fosters an environment where every child is expected to mirror their success, leading to feelings of inadequacy among their peers. Rawat emphasises the importance of acknowledging the diverse aspirations of children. Parents and teachers should refrain from imposing their unfulfilled dreams on students, allowing them the freedom to choose their paths.