TV
Suicide among students in Odisha has increased by 58 per cent in the last three years till 2023, informed Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi in the State Legislative Assembly on Monday.
Responding to a question by BJD legislator Dhruba Charan Sahoo, CM Majhi, in a written reply, said “The number of suicide cases among students has increased from 119 in 2021 to 173 in 2022 and then gone up to 189 in 2023.”
According to the data presented by CM Majhi, 119 students committed suicide in 2021, which included 58 boys and 61 girls while in 2023, the number increased to 189- 85 boys and 104 girls.
In 2022, 173 students including 75 boys and 98 girls have died by suicide across the state.
The data also revealed that the rate of increase in girls' suicide cases is much higher (around 70 per cent) than that of boys between 2021 and 2023.
CM Majhi said that only four cases of suicide by farmers have been reported in the state from 2021 to 2023.
The data further revealed that the state recorded overall 5,989 suicide cases in 2023, a 2.4 per cent decline compared to 6,140 cases in 2022.
In 2021, as many as 5,649 persons died by suicide in the state.
"The alarming rise in student suicides in Odisha is driven by factors such as escalating competition, high societal and familial expectations, and a lack of emotional support due to busy parental schedules. The excessive use of gadgets and social media further isolates students, weakening stress tolerance and coping skills," Dr Amrit Pattojoshi, Honorary Secretary Indian Psychiatric Society, told IANS.
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"Additionally, failed relationships due to decreased tolerance, substance use due to easy access and social isolation intensify this crisis, compounded by a lack of societal compassion," Pattojoshi added.
(With IANS inputs)
