Youth Suicides on the Rise in Bihar: Alarming Trends of Personal Quarrels and Mental Health Issues

Patna: Bihar is grappling with a worrying increase in suicides among its youth, driven by personal quarrels, financial losses, love affairs, and academic pressures. In December 2024 alone, 13 suicides were reported, adding to the 85 total cases recorded throughout the year. Of these, 52 were young individuals aged 18 to 40. An analysis of media reports reveals a disturbing pattern, highlighting the mental health challenges faced by the state’s youth.

On November 12, Damini, a resident of Patna’s SK Puri area, ended her life due to depression. In a poignant video sent to her sister Deepa, she asked not to implicate her brother-in-law and urged her to take care of her child. Damini expressed her exhaustion, stating, “I worked very hard and fought a lot with the world, but I can’t bear it anymore.” Her tragic plea underscores the deep emotional turmoil she endured.

On December 24, Aryan Kumar, a postgraduate doctor at IGIMS, Patna, was found hanging in his home. Using his mother’s dupatta, Aryan ended his life after wishing his sister Medha a happy birthday. Medha described their last conversation as normal and cheerful, leaving the family shocked. Aryan’s birthday was just a week away on December 30, and his mother was set to retire on December 31, adding to the poignancy of the loss.

The following day, Rahul Kumar from Patna committed suicide due to financial losses in the stock market. Rahul had invested Rs. 6 lakhs but found his account empty. Depressed over the losses, he took his life. His family discovered him hanging in his room the next morning, with his mobile lying nearby.

On the same day, Sonu Kumar, a 25-year-old preparing for the BPSC exam, hanged himself in his rented room in Hanuman Nagar, Patna. A resident of Paliganj, Sonu had been under immense pressure regarding his career and academics. His frustration and despair ultimately led him to take the tragic step.

Psychiatrist Binda Singh noted that decreasing tolerance levels are a significant factor in these cases. She explained that many young people today are shielded from struggles during childhood, making them less resilient when faced with life’s challenges. This lack of coping mechanisms often results in extreme measures like suicide.

Nationally, the student suicide crisis is equally alarming. A report by the IC3 Institute revealed that in 2021 alone, 13,089 students died by suicide, with one student taking their life every 40 minutes. Over the last decade, nearly 1 lakh students have succumbed to this tragedy, surpassing even the suicide rates among farmers.

Profession-wise, daily wage laborers and employed individuals accounted for 25.6% and 9.7% of suicides respectively, while unemployed individuals comprised 8.4%. These figures highlight the pervasive mental health crisis in the country, urging society and policymakers to address the issue comprehensively.