Abstract
Suicide is a serious public health concern with far-reaching social, psychological, and economic effects. This study explored the precipitating factors of suicide attempts, with particular focus on parental pressure. A qualitative descriptive exploratory design was used, involving semi-structured interviews with 13 participants aged 20–48 years who had previously attempted suicide. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using MAXQDA 20 software. Two major themes emerged: social/family issues, including mistrust, wasted resources, and parental pressure; and psychological issues, including adverse childhood experiences, emotional breakdown, and difficult life pursuits. Findings suggest that suicide attempts are rarely the result of a single cause but rather reflect complex interactions of familial expectations and psychological distress. The study emphasizes the urgent need for greater awareness of suicide triggers and warning signs, along with culturally sensitive health education and support strategies, to encourage timely help-seeking and reduce suicide attempts.
Keywords: Suicide attempts, Parental pressure, Family issues, Psychological distress, Prevention strategies
Introduction
Suicide among young people is a critical global health concern and remains the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 24 years. Most children and adolescents who attempt suicide struggle with an underlying mental health disorder, most commonly depression.
In younger children, suicide attempts are often impulsive and associated with sadness, confusion, anger, or attention-related difficulties. Among adolescents, they are more frequently linked to stress, self-doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty, disappointment, and experiences of loss. For many, suicide may appear to be a temporary escape from overwhelming challenges.
Although alarming, it is important to note that depression and suicidal ideation are treatable. Early recognition, accurate diagnosis, and comprehensive treatment are essential for prevention. Beyond depression, several risk factors increase vulnerability, including family history of suicide attempts, exposure to violence, impulsivity, aggressive behavior, access to firearms, bullying, feelings of hopelessness, and experiences of rejection or acute loss. Addressing these factors through awareness, timely interventions, and supportive environments is vital to reducing suicide among young populations.
Against this background, the present study seeks to examine the precipitating factors of suicide attempts, with a particular focus on the role of parental pressure in influencing vulnerability.
Legal framework
Definition of the offence
BNS-108 addresses the criminal act of abetting suicide. Abetment involves encouraging, inciting, or assisting someone in committing suicide.
Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 108: (Abetment of suicide) If any person commits suicide, whoever abets the commission of such suicide, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Case
Gianender Kumar And Others vs State Of Haryana on 28 May, 2012
abetted the commission of suicide by the deceased. Offence of abetment of suicide is punishable under Section 108 of BNS. Whoever abets the commission of suicide … record, we are of the opinion that appellant Gianender Kumar had abetted the suicide committed by his wife.
Juvenile Justice Act, 2015
Section 75 (punishment for cruelty to child): Whoever, having the actual charge of, or control over, a child, assaults, abandons, abuses, exposes or wilfully neglects the child or causes or procedures the child to be assaulted, abandoned, abused, exposed or neglected in a manner likely to cause such child unnecessary mental or physical suffering, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine or one lakh rupees or with both:
Mental Healthcare Act, 2017
Section 115 (presumption severe stress in case of attempt to commit suicide):
- Notwithstanding anything contained in section 309 of the Indian Penal Code any person who attempts to commit suicide shall be presumed, unless proved otherwise, to have severe stress and shall not be tried and punished under the said Code.
- The appropriate Government shall have a duty to provide care, treatment and rehabilitation to a person, having severe stress and who attempted to commit suicide, to reduce the risk of recurrence of attempt to commit suicide.
NCRB data on suicide
“Suicide is not the outcome of a solitary cause; rather, it is a complex phenomenon influenced by a convergence of social, cultural, systemic, and economic factors.”
The biggest increase in suicide was in Mizoram, where suicides rose by 54.5% between 2021 and 2022. Neighbouring Manipur in the Northeast reported the most significant decline at 47%. Variances in absolute suicide numbers in smaller states are likely to be significant.
Among the larger states, Himachal Pradesh had a considerable drop in reported suicides, decreasing by 28% between 2021 and 2022. Bihar, West Bengal, and Punjab also reported a decline in suicides by 15%, 6.2%, and 6.1%, respectively.
The most prominent increase in suicides was observed in Uttar Pradesh, a population dense state, where suicides rose by 38%. The third-highest rise was in Jammu and Kashmir at 31% followed by Jharkhand at 19.5%.
Government report on suicide
Suicide is a significant public health concern. In India, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics showed a consistent, concerning rise in suicide rates from 9.9 per lakh population in 2017 to 12.4 per lakh population in 2022.
The incidence rates of suicide displayed significant variability nationwide across states, ranging from 0.6 per 100,000 population in Bihar to 43.1 per 100,000 population in Sikkim. The southern cities of Vijayawada (42.6 per 100,000 population) and Kollam (42.5 per 100,000 population) reported the highest suicide rates in 2022.
Failure in examination was the reported reason for suicide in 1.2% of students. Pertinently, suicide clusters have been reported in Kota, Thrissur, and Chennai; all these cities are famous for their coaching institutes targeting competitive professional examinations. Promoting resilience to failure and frustration is crucial for preventing suicide among students, as is addressing issues such as peer pressure, family expectations, and poor coping skills. Media plays a vital role in suicide prevention, and responsible media suicide reporting is necessary to avoid the Werther effect.
Suicide cases in India
Suicide is a major national public health issue in India. 171,000 suicides were recorded in the country in 2022, registering a 4.2% increase over 2021 and a jump of 27% compared to 2018. The rate of suicide per 100,000 population increased to 12.4 in 2022 which is the highest year for this data.
Suicide case in Kota
A 16-year-old engineering aspirant allegedly died by suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan inside his PG room in Kota, police said on July 4.
A few days ago, a 23-year-old NEET aspirant from Delhi had abruptly told his parents that he would not appear for the national level medical entrance test this year. Three days later, his body was found in the bushes near a railway track in Kota, with a preliminary probe suggesting that he had ingested a poisonous substance.
Further earlier, on April 22, an 18-year-old NEET aspirant had died by suicide in his hostel room. He had mentioned in a note that neither his family nor his preparation for the NEET-UG exam was the reason behind the extreme step, police had said.
Suicide cases in Madhya Pradesh
Two students committed suicide, while another attempted to take his own life in separate incidents following the announcement of the Class 12 examination results by the Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (MPBSE) on Tuesday, officials reported. The MPBSE declared the results for both Class 10 and Class 12 examinations in the morning.
In Damoh district, a 17-year-old girl from Jhagar village hanged herself at home after failing the Class 12 examination, according to Patharia police station in-charge Sudhir Kumar Begi. The teenager, a science stream student, was upset with her results and took the extreme step while her family was occupied with daily chores. She went to a room on the first floor of the house and hanged herself. Her family rushed her to a local hospital, where doctors declared her dead, Begi stated.
Suicide cases in Udaipur
An MBBS student at Pacific Dental College in Udaipur died by suicide in her hostel room on Thursday night, with a note recovered from the scene alleging mental harassment by college staff. The incident led to protests on campus, with students accusing the administration of unfair practices and demanding action.
Comparative perspective
Public interest statement
Life and death are two sides of the same coin. The “Right to life” is guaranteed by the International Human Rights laws but in the case of suicide, domestic laws are a bit more orthodoxical. The act or attempt to end one’s life has been criminalized in many countries. In India under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 attempt to commit suicide is still considered an offense. In many countries of Africa, suicide is considered legal and in Asia, most of the countries have decriminalized attempted suicide except a few countries like India. The scenario is also changing in the USA and UK. The state should not curtail the liberty of people attempting suicide by imprisoning or punishing them as the right to life also includes the right to a dignified death.
[ Now the section 309 of Indian Penal Code,1860 has been changed which has now become section 108 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita,2023 ]
Reforms and Suggestions
Some tips for parents
- Talk to your child about their stress. Make sure your children reach out to you during stress instead of fearing your reactions. Let them know that it is normal to feel stressed about school sometimes, and that you are there to support them.
- Set realistic expectations. Don’t put too much pressure on your child to succeed academically. Remember that everyone learns at their own speed.
- Help your child develop healthy coping mechanisms. This could include teaching them relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, or encouraging them to participate in physical activity. Modeling these yourself will encourage them to follow after you.
- Encourage your child to take breaks. Make sure they are getting enough sleep and taking time for fun activities.
Suicide Prevention: A Multi-Dimensional Strategy
Suicide is a pressing public health concern that requires immediate and sustained action. An effective prevention strategy should be multi-dimensional, addressing not only the immediate risk factors but also the broader social and health system challenges. Based on global best practices and the specific needs of India, the following approaches can be prioritized:
- Prioritize Public Health Strategies
Suicide prevention must be treated as a public health priority. With limited healthcare resources, emphasis should be placed on primary prevention strategies that address the root causes of suicidal behavior.
- Enhanced Surveillance of Suicidal Behaviour
Reliable data is essential for effective intervention. Improving surveillance systems through police records, hospital-based data, and community surveys can provide a clearer picture of the problem. This will help identify high-risk groups such as young people, women, and populations in underdeveloped regions.
- Means Restriction
Restricting access to lethal methods is a proven way to reduce suicide rates. Policies such as banning highly toxic pesticides, restricting hanging points in institutions like prisons, and controlling alcohol availability can play a significant role in prevention.
- Responsible Media Reporting
Media plays a crucial role in shaping perceptions about suicide. Responsible and sensitive reporting, in line with WHO guidelines, can prevent glorification and imitation of suicidal acts. Collaboration with media organizations can ensure accurate and non-sensational coverage.
- Training, Education, and Awareness
Gatekeeper training for healthcare professionals, teachers, and community workers is vital to identify early signs of distress. Education and awareness campaigns targeting students, families, and the general population can help reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behavior.
- Crisis Intervention
Suicide helplines and online platforms must be strengthened and made more accessible, especially considering India’s increasing internet usage. Crisis services should be designed to provide immediate emotional support and guidance to those at risk.
- Treatment and Postvention
Improving emergency medical care for suicide attempt survivors is crucial, particularly in rural areas. In addition, postvention services for families and friends affected by suicide (e.g., mental health support groups and volunteer-led counseling) can reduce further risk.
- Oversight and Coordination
Establishing dedicated national and state-level agencies to coordinate suicide prevention initiatives will ensure consistency and effectiveness. Sharing best practices and evaluation results across regions can improve overall outcomes.
- Strengthening Mental Health Services
Expanding mental health infrastructure is essential for long-term prevention. This includes training more professionals, integrating mental health into primary care, and ensuring affordable access to treatment.
- Sustained Prevention Efforts
Suicide prevention requires ongoing commitment. Consistent implementation of strategies is necessary, as gains can be quickly lost if focus diminishes over time.
Some more preventions
- Strengthen economic supports
- Improve household financial security
- Stabilize housing
- Create protective environments
- Reduce access to lethal means among persons at risk of suicide
- Create healthy organizational policies and culture
Role of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 in Suicide Prevention
The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 plays a vital role in preventing suicide by focusing on mental health care, early intervention, and support rather than punishment. It recognizes that individuals who attempt suicide are often under severe stress and need professional help.
Key Highlights:
- Decriminalization of Suicide Attempts
As per Section 115 the act, a person attempting suicide is presumed to be under severe stress and should not face legal punishment. Instead, they are entitled to receive mental health care and support. - Access to Mental Health Services
The Act ensures that both government and private institutions provide easily accessible mental health services, including counseling, therapy, and rehabilitation for individuals at risk. - Awareness and Early Intervention
It promotes awareness programs in schools, colleges, and workplaces, educating people about mental health and identifying early warning signs of distress. - Protection and Support for Vulnerable Individuals
Families and communities are encouraged to recognize signs of severe stress and facilitate timely professional help, creating a supportive environment for at-risk individuals.
Conclusion
Student suicides driven by parental and societal pressures reflect a deep-rooted challenge that extends beyond individual struggles. The problem is not limited to parental expectations alone but is compounded by academic stress, the influence of teachers, societal comparisons, depression, and overthinking. Many students are pushed to the edge by the fear of failure in examinations and the uncertainty of living under constant pressure.
Preventing such tragedies requires a multi-layered approach. Families must foster open communication, realistic expectations, and unconditional emotional support so that children feel valued for who they are rather than what they achieve. At the institutional level, strengthening mental health services, training teachers and healthcare providers, and integrating awareness programs into schools and universities can create a more supportive environment. At the societal level, responsible media reporting and restricting access to lethal means are equally important steps.
Key Takeaways:
- Suicide prevention must begin at home through empathy, realistic expectations, and strong parent–child communication.
- Educational institutions and health systems must work together to provide early identification, counseling, and supportive networks.
- A collective, sustained effort by families, schools, healthcare providers, and society at large is essential to reduce the burden of preventable student suicides.
References:
- Section 75 of Juvenile Justice Act, 2015
- Section 115 of Mental Healthcare Act, 2017
- Section 108 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
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