Bengaluru sees spike in student suicides: What’s behind the trend?

Increasing incidents of student suicides in Bengaluru highlight a critical need for mental health awareness and support systems.

A spate of student suicides in Bengaluru over the past few months has raised serious concerns among parents, educators and mental health professionals, highlighting the growing psychological burden on young learners.

Student suicides in Bengaluru: With recent cases involving students from various backgrounds, educators and parents are urged to take action to address the psychological pressures faced by young learners.(Representative/Shutterstock)

In the latest incident, a 16-year-old Class 10 student died by suicide at her home on the city’s outskirts on Friday. The Madanayakanahalli police have registered a case of unnatural death and launched an investigation.

Her school headmaster said they had no complaints about her as a student, noting that she had been attending the special extended classes mandated by the government for board students, as per a report from the Deccan Herald. He urged children to turn to parents and teachers for support, while pledging to strengthen awareness programs on mental health.

Earlier, police in CK Acchukattu, Bengaluru, began investigating the death of a Class 7 boy. He is believed to have left behind a detailed suicide note, expressing regret and gratitude and authorities reportedly linked his death to his apparent fascination with the Japanese animated series Death Note, which may have influenced him.

Other recent suicides in the city highlighted different pressures faced by students. In July, an architecture student recorded a video blaming ragging by peers before he died. In February, a 15-year-old schoolgirl died in Kadugodi, while a 19-year-old nursing student from Kerala was found dead at a medical college on Kanakapura Road.

Why are there increasing incidents of student suicides?

Mental health experts say the recent rise in student suicides in Bengaluru reflects deeper, systemic issues affecting children and adolescents. Dr Sugami Ramesh, a senior clinical psychologist at Apollo Hospitals, noted that while such cases are getting more attention now, the underlying causes remain consistent: academic pressure, unrealistic parental expectations, anxiety, depression, and emotional neglect - often starting early in childhood.

She pointed out that with both parents working, many children grow up with less emotional support. “Bedtime stories have been replaced by screens. Children need attention, not just advice. They want to be heard and feel understood,” she said. Factors like family conflicts, a sibling with special needs, or a history of mental illness at home can also increase a child’s vulnerability, she added.

The time children return home from school is a crucial window for parents to connect, she said. “Instead of giving advice, ask how you can help. Ask them what would make them feel better,” she stated. Dr Ramesh also urged parents to watch for warning signs like anger outbursts or emotional withdrawal.

Dr Gaurav Sharma, who runs GS Family clinic in Bengaluru echoed these concerns, calling emotional neglect in the digital age a subtle but growing crisis. He warned that screens have become substitute caregivers in many urban homes, replacing meaningful conversation with distraction, which “slowly erodes the child’s trust in being heard.”

Dr Ramesh also stressed that schools must also step up by balancing digital tools with human engagement and counselling.

Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. A few major suicide prevention helpline numbers: Sahai Helpline: 080 2549 7777; Cadambams: 096111 94949; iCALL: 9152987821; Aasra: 022 2754 6669; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918