Class 9 Student’s Fatal Leap: Here’s How To Identify The Warning Signs Of Suicide In Children

A class 9 student from one of the renowned schools in Navi Mumbai’s Nerul allegedly ended his life after jumping from the school canteen, located on the 5th Floor. This reportedly happened during the school assembly hours. The heartbreaking incident has shocked the school community as well as the locals. While further news is awaited, the tragic incident raises numerous questions surrounding the mental health of children and emphasizes the need for proper support systems for them. Read to know how you can talk to your children about this sensitive topic.

India’s Student Suicide Rate

According to the National Crime Records Bureau Report, 2022, 103,961 student suicides were recorded from 2013 to 2022, suggesting a 64 percent increase from the past decade. 

“The incidence of student suicides continues to surpass both population growth rates and overall suicide trends. Over the last decade, while the population of 0-24-year-olds reduced from 582 million to 581 million, the number of student suicides increased from 6,654 to 13,044” the report stated. 

While there has been a 2 percent overall increase in suicide cases, student suicides have increased by 4 percent.  

Read this to know the most common Reasons of Teen Suicide 

Identifying The Warning Signs

“One in seven young people between the ages of 15 and 24 in India experiences poor mental health, including symptoms of depression, and disinterest. Shockingly, only 41% of those surveyed felt the need to seek support when dealing with mental health challenges.” UNICEF Report, The State of the World’s Children. 

This suggests that many children do not seek support when they are having suicidal thoughts and as such, it is important for parents to watch out for the warning signs, which may include:

1. Talking about suicide and related topics online. The child may post stuff related to ending life, feeling trapped, or hopelessness. 

2. Feeling they are useless or a burden to friends and family. 

3. Looking for ways to hurt themselves or end their life, like gathering sharp objects and medication

4. Searching for suicide and related topics like ‘how to die without pain?’, ‘is suicide painful?’ and ‘How to end your life?’ online.

5. Struggling emotionally and expressing unbearable pain

6. Calling people to say goodbye without any context

7. Distributing their prized possessions, even those that are dear to them

8. Suddenly becoming unusually calm and cheerful 

Apart from these, there are some more signs that may be linked to depression. It is important to identify these as depression happens to be a major risk factor for student suicides. 

1. Feeling sad and irritated most of the time

2. Unusual change in appetite and sleeping pattern 

3. Not taking part in activities they used to love earlier

4. Social withdrawal and isolation

5. Indulging in activities that can cause them harm

6. Complaining of physical symptoms like body pain, headache and nausea

7. Poor performance at school.

If your child is showing any of these symptoms, get in touch with a mental health expert. Timely Mental Health & Suicide intervention can help save your child’s life.

Also Read:

Is Your Teen Depressed ? Depression Causes and Symptoms Parents Should Look

Exam Stress Symptoms, Stress Influences, Helps to Relieve Stress as a Parent