Earlier, another tragic incident occurred when Afsha Sheikh, a student from Gujarat, took her own life by hanging herself from a ceiling fan in her hostel room in the Rajiv Nagar area. Afsha had moved to Kota just six months ago to prepare for the NEET exam.The police have informed the families of both students, and investigations are underway.It is to be noted that despite various efforts to curb this tragic trend, these recent cases highlight that the suicide toll in Kota continues to rise. So far, six student suicides have been reported in January alone.Despite administrative efforts to curb this alarming trend, the recurring incidents underscore the ineffectiveness of current measures in addressing the mental health challenges faced by students. The growing crisis has earned Kota the grim reputation of being the “suicide city.”In 2023, more than two dozen student suicides were reported in Kota, followed by 16 cases in 2024. These alarming statistics have led to a significant decline in student enrolments. This year, only 1.1 lakh students have enrolled, a sharp drop from the previous average of over 2 lakh students annually.Authorities and educational institutions are now under increasing pressure to implement effective mental health support systems and take concrete steps to prevent further tragedies.If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation – 04424640050, Tele Manas – 14416 (available 24×7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences’ helpline – 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.
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