The Rising Crisis of Students' Mental Health

Important Note: This blog post talks about things related to mental health and self-harm behavior. What is written is also not a replacement for therapy or other interventions. The information I share here is based on research papers, articles, chapters, and my experience as a therapist. However, what I write here may not address your specific questions or concerns; this is general information. Please reach out to someone for assistance if you believe you need it. We deserve all the help and resources that we need!

BBC

Student suicide review says unis must act to stop more deaths.

 

The Korea Times

Teen suicides keep rising as school stress takes a toll.

                                                                                  

India Today

Delhi Student Suicide: 16-Year-Old Blames Teachers, Highlights Rising National Crisis - India Today

Student life is supposed to be more carefree, a time most adults look back to with misty eyes of nostalgia, talking about "the good old days". But the headlines mentioned above are just three of many reports from 2025 about concerns for students' mental health in three different countries. This rising mental health crisis among the youth is immensely worrying, and one can only imagine what the long-term effects of this could be. While students' mental health is a matter of concern in different parts of the world, this post will highlight the situation faced by Indian students. This post may seem grim, especially since the new year has just begun, but it is all the more necessary to address the cracks before the foundation of student life crumbles.

In India, there has been a persistent increase in the number of young students who are depressed, anxious, and severely stressed, leading many to take drastic steps like ending their lives. In 2025, the general population was more aware of emotional struggles and mental health crises. Still, the ground reality of 

• a dearth of mental health practitioners, 
• lack of established community mental health services, 
• improper funding, 
• and a probable stigma that may discourage people from seeking help makes everything more grim. 

But improper mental healthcare might not be the only reason we can't regulate the stressors students face. 

What are the common mental health concerns experienced by students?

The majority (1) of the students in India (2) have reported experiencing a slew of mental health concerns (3), like depression, anxiety, social/emotional/behavioral problems, internet/tech addictions, stress, social phobia, and many more. 

The incidence of mental health problems seems to have also increased after the pandemic- a tectonic shift has occurred after COVID-19 disrupted established structures from the past years in our society.

India is considered a young nation, with a median age of approximately 28 years, which also means that many of its citizens are still students in schools, colleges, and universities. This poses unique mental health concerns surrounding competition, lack of financial independence, unemployment, and lifestyle problems.

Not only that, newer waves of job loss, unemployment may also increase the prevalence of mental health crises among people.

What are the factors that can contribute to students' poor adjustment and mental health?

• Competition- Many students face a high degree of competition in their student life. Between the push to score high marks, turn in assignments, participate in extracurriculars to improve grades, attend tuition/extra classes, and constantly face comparison with peers, student life can be daunting. It might feel like navigating a maze -like rats racing to solve a puzzle to get their reward, which is constantly dangled in front of them.
• Support Systems in School/Colleges- Whether it is school, college, or university, students spend a lot of time in an institution, and so, it is safe to say that these places are as important as home environments to nurture proper mental health. Many schools are expected to have mental health cells and spaces for therapy, but this isn't always the reality in every school-especially schools in remote areas, where students hardly get access to mental health tools. This is also somewhat the same for colleges, which can lead to older students also finding it difficult to access proper mental health support.
• Teachers' behavior. There have been worrying reports in the news of teachers or other authorities belittling students, blatant comparisons, and public humiliation. This is one of the causes that drives students to commit self-harm or suicide, in addition to other contributing factors like academic pressure. Most teachers would wish the best for their students and want them to achieve their goals in life, but some teachers forget that their harsh words and strict punishments can damage a student's sense of self, too.
• Parental support- Family can be an indispensable source of support for students, in almost any phase of their lives. Students who lack parental support can be overwhelmed by the weight of competition, especially when preparing for highly challenging national exams, a phenomenon that has been well-documented by the media. A healthy amount of parental support (where they encourage students to learn from mistakes, become independent) can help students bounce back from failures. Students may carry the fear of disappointing their parents if they fail or don't get into big-name institutions, even without actual pressure from them, partially because of the potential judgment from society, too.
• Access to mental health support- Many students may find it difficult to access mental health tools - this could be because of financial constraints or because their institutions are unable to provide confidential and safe spaces to share their mental health concerns. Notwithstanding the national mental health crisis, there is still a dearth of mental health professionals in India.
• Lack of financial independence- Many students are not financially independent; even those who take up part-time jobs naturally prioritize their immediate basic and educational needs first. This leaves them with inadequate options for managing their health (both physical and mental health), leaving them feeling both vulnerable and unsupported in the face of the stressors they face.
• Socioeconomic Status- One of the factors that could really affect students' mental health is their socioeconomic status. Family's socioeconomic status can really impact a person's sense of stability, especially when they are students. The disparity in how much resources (study materials, travel time, choice of institutions, time they have to study) students can access is dependent on their socioeconomic standing too. Many students may feel anxious and depressed when there is constant financial stress.

What are the mental health interventions that would be helpful?

So, what can we do about it?

Community Support- Communities' awareness and support towards mental health crises can go a long way in helping people adjust to life's setbacks. During disasters, when communities come together to support each other, it reduces the brunt of the catastrophe - this can be utilized for our mental well-being too. Opportunities for student support groups can give students a safe space to talk about themselves and also not feel alone in their struggles. Community-based events to spread mental health awareness among people can also make people cognizant about their roles and responsibilities towards our collective well-being.

Systemic changes at Schools- Mental health awareness programs for school/college authorities, ensuring teachers' mental wellbeing (so that they don't displace their emotions on children), training programs to teach everyone (teaching, non-teaching staff, and students) ways to regulate emotions, empathy, and communication skills can be a beneficial addition too. But the key is not only to learn the skills but to apply them in real life. Teachers who show kindness and empathy are the ones remembered by the students for a very long time.

Therapy- Despite being a therapist, it is important to be aware that therapy is usually only one of many tools, and realistically, many people won't be able to access this tool. Therapy can only do so much if a student constantly faces criticisms, harsh words, comparisons, and a lack of support in their home and/or school environment; therapy might not be enough for their well-being. But, therapy can help students develop a proper sense of self that isn't always dependent on external validation; it can help students with learning emotion regulation tools, communication skills, and a space to share their thoughts and feelings without judgment. A good therapist will ensure they are given a confidential and safe space to do all of that.

Students are the building blocks of the future who will contribute to the country. They are the teachers,  inventors, caregivers, doctors, engineers, artists, researchers, parents (and many more) of tomorrow. It is society's responsibility to not break them before they get a chance to carve out their niche; it is also our responsibility to ensure that our collective well-being is taken care of. There are schools and colleges in India that are trying to bring about changes and address students' wellbeing (especially mental health), but more institutions need to open their doors to these measures and actually implement them.

 Humans are social animals, and we might not progress if we are creating a space where students are feeling hopeless for their future, feeling so bleak that many are resorting to permanently altering decisions like ending their own lives.

Image Credits: From Pexels

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