Listening to students is essential to solve the suicide crisis in Indian colleges

To tackle the rising problem of suicides among students in Indian colleges, experts have emphasised listening to the voices and experiences of students. According to a report by The Hindu, when individuals in the field of mental health are not allowed to express their life experiences without fear of shame or ridicule, their difficulties may be misidentified as mental disorders.

Experts state that the diagnostic process based on clinical observation and structured interviews can often lead to errors. An example is provided where when a student becomes irregular in studies, teachers label them as lacking discipline or as a 'bad student'. In such situations, when a student becomes excessively quiet or isolated, parents take them to mental health centres, where they may be deemed 'abnormal' and told they need psychiatric treatment for depression.

The report suggests that if students are given the opportunity to talk about their actual circumstances and experiences, greater accuracy can be achieved in understanding their behaviour. According to experts, instead of relying solely on clinical diagnosis, listening to students is indispensable to solve this serious crisis.

In the field of mental health, experts diagnose diseases through clinical observation and interviews, but the importance of an individual's social and personal experiences remains significant in this process.