Trigger warning: mentions of suicide. This feature discusses suicide, suicidal thoughts, and mental health challenges. Please read with care, and take a break if you need to. If you or someone you know is struggling, we encourage you to reach out for support.

“Mujhse nahi ho paya (I couldn’t do it). I am sorry, Papa.”

These were the last words of Himanshu Kashyap, a 24-year-old MBBS student from Chhattisgarh who recently died by suicide in a hostel amid exam stress.

In another case, a young doctor from Muzaffarpur, Bihar, ended his life after failing to clear his postgraduate medical entrance exam. He allegedly died from a gunshot wound from his father’s licensed gun.

Meanwhile, in Madhya Pradesh, a 13-year-old schoolgirl attempted suicide by jumping from the first floor of her school building. She sustained minor fractures on her arms and legs.

Many times, we come across such stories in newspapers or other media platforms.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau, students account for 7.6 percent of India’s suicide deaths, nearly 13,000 young lives every year.

A recent government report was even starker: suicide has overtaken road accidents and disease as the leading cause of death among Indians aged between 15 and 29, with self-harm being the major cause.

Parents, teachers, and peers are often the first to notice changes; however, many don’t know how to help.

We spoke with Dr Aninda Sidhana, a Rajasthan-based psychiatrist and assistant secretary general of the Indian Psychiatric Society (Northern Zone), to develop a practical, empathetic, evidence-based Suicide Prevention Toolkit.

Designed for families, educators, and peers, it can become both a shield and a lifeline. Because behind every percentage point is not just data, but a young life waiting to be saved.

Here are excerpts from the interview with Dr Aninda.

Indian youth often navigate a difficult mix of cultural expectations, academic pressures, and personal struggles. Parents and society sometimes dictate career choices, making marks and achievements a matter of family pride.

Many students live away from home for their studies, which can lead to feelings of loneliness, cultural........

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