Experts Report Severe Depression in 83 Students Across 223 Kota Hostels

Experts Report Severe Depression in 83 Students Across 223 Kota Hostels

VoM News Desk | October 12, 2023 | 09:57 AM IST | Breaking News, Health | Follow on Google News

Experts Report Severe Depression in 83 Students Across 223 Kota Hostels

Experts Report Severe Depression in 83 Students Across 223 Kota Hostels

India’s Kota, known as a hub for competitive exam coaching, has witnessed a concerning increase in student suicides, with 19 young lives lost in a year, marking the highest toll since data collection began in 2015.

In a shocking revelation, a survey conducted by a medical team led by Kota’s Chief Health and Medical Officer (CMHO), Jagdish Soni, identified a staggering 83 students struggling with severe depression within a five-month period. While Kota is celebrated for producing academic toppers in competitive exams like NEET and JEE, there is a darker side to the story. The intense pressure, familial expectations, isolation, and relentless competition have created a crushing environment for many students.

The Burden of Expectations and Competition

Kota is home to over 225,000 students residing in 4,000 hostels and 5,000 registered paying guest accommodations. To address this issue, a dedicated team was established to identify at-risk students and provide them with essential counseling and medical support. Dr. Poorti Sharma, a member of the medical team, revealed, “After visiting around 6602 students in 223 hostels during this period, we found 83 students suffering from severe depression.”

The team also encountered two students on the brink of suicide, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Many of the affected students were referred for psychiatric counseling and medication. The authorities took proactive steps by contacting parents, hostel wardens, counselors, and coaching center administrators while maintaining strict confidentiality. This comprehensive approach aims to provide support and ongoing monitoring.

A City in Crisis

These findings align with other troubling data from Kota in the same year, revealing the extent of the mental health crisis in the city. In just 55 days, eight students took their own lives, prompting the intervention of the Kota Abhay Command Centre, established by the police, to respond to distress calls from 45 more students contemplating suicide.

The medical team’s survey has illuminated the primary factors contributing to the tragic deaths in Kota: the struggle to adapt to daily classes and surviving in an incredibly competitive environment. As new admissions, exams, and results in NEET and JEE intensify competition from April to September, students grapple with the fear of exams, result uncertainty, and the pressure to secure a prosperous future. Kota-based sociologist Rajeev Gupta emphasizes that this crisis requires government intervention to transform the education system and alleviate the undue burden on students.

Government Initiatives and Challenges Ahead

In response to the crisis, a committee led by Rajasthan’s higher education secretary, Bhawani Singh Detha, issued guidelines for coaching centers. These guidelines include mandatory screening tests, reorganization based on alphabetical order rather than rankings, and restrictions on admitting students below grade 9. While these efforts represent steps in the right direction, the responsibility lies not just with medical professionals but with the state to address the broader education system and mental health support.

VoM News Desk

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