SC terms student suicides a 'Systemic Failure', issues nationwide guidelines for mental health support

In a landmark intervention, the Supreme Court of India has raised deep concern over the rising number of student suicides, calling it a clear sign of systemic failure in addressing mental health challenges in academic spaces. A two-judge bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta delivered a detailed ruling, issuing a comprehensive set of pan-India guidelines to tackle this growing crisis.

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Quoting 2022 data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the court highlighted that over 13,000 students took their own lives that year, with more than 2,200 cases linked to exam failures alone. The judges emphasized that these tragedies often stem from preventable factors such as psychological distress, academic pressure, social isolation, and institutional neglect.

The guidelines call for mandatory assignment of trained mentors or counsellors to small student groups, especially during exam periods. Educational institutions must establish structured referral protocols for mental health crises and prominently display suicide prevention helpline numbers like Tele-MANAS across campuses and online platforms.

Further, all school, college, and coaching institute staff, both teaching and non-teaching, are now required to undergo certified mental health training twice a year. These sessions will focus on early detection of psychological distress, handling self-harm incidents, and ensuring timely intervention.

Acknowledging the sharp rise in student suicides over the past two decades, the court stressed the urgent need for mental health to be treated as a core pillar of student welfare, not just an optional support service.