NEW DELHI:
About nine per cent of students in higher educational institutions reported experiencing suicidal thoughts often or very often in the past year, according to a nationwide survey conducted by a Supreme Court-appointed task force.
The survey, which received responses from more than 2.43 lakh students, found that around 15 per cent had experienced prolonged periods of distress, low mood or anxiety in the previous six months. About 34 per cent said they felt like outsiders on campus to varying degrees.
The National Task Force said 56 per cent of students trusted their administrations to handle serious issues fairly, while nearly 32 per cent said their institutions did not offer counselling services.
The findings are expected to form part of the task force’s final report, due by October 31. Officials said the current sample was not representative and the findings should therefore be treated as preliminary.