Interview of Mental Health Expert Montube Setlhaku on Rising Student Suicides in India

In an intensely insightful interview, international mental health specialist, Montube Setlhiku, of South Africa talks of the drastic increase in suicide amongst Indian students, the factors contributing to it, and the immediate action plan. The interview, taken by the respected journalist Raish Ahmad of Edinbox, illuminates socio-economic, psychological and systemic issues that young minds go through nowadays and how mental health awareness and institutional preparedness are of vital importance.

According to Setlhaku, college life is a sensitive transition that most students struggle with due to severing contact with their families, unfamiliar social settings, and academic challenges. These conflicts usually come along with new mental health problems that remain unaddressed, increased by the absence of trained staff to support these needs in the educational establishments. Mental health care should be considered inclusive since stress and risk factors are further compounded by socio-economic status, race, religion, and disability.

Setlhaku indicates that academic pressure would not only be detrimental to the mental health of students but also to emotional intelligence, the important skill of recognizing and controlling emotions, proving that higher emotional skills such as emotions and resilience can contribute to resolving stress in students.

He points out the destructive aspect of parental expectation and culture of comparison which creates emotional misery, withdrawal, anxiety, and depression. Likewise, social media contribution to mental health problems also enhances unrealistic standards, bullying, and fear of missing out (FOMO).

The mental health specialist reminds that the early intervention should follow warning signs like the inability to regulate his or her emotions, impulsivity, sadness, and problems in relationships. However, stigma is a tremendous obstacle that students cannot overcome in order to help them. In response to this, Setlhaku recommends that mental health conversations should be normalized, more young people should have access to counselling, and young people should be equipped with knowledge and skills.

He emphasizes the dire necessity of more powerful, concerted actions in India, which he proposes as compulsory counsellors in schools, teacher training, the inclusion of mental well-being in the school curriculum, and efficient surveillance, which would allow the protection of young lives.

As suicide rates among students in India have surged 65% in the past decade and mental health issues are becoming increasingly critical, the views of Montube Setlhaku highlight an urgent need to transform the situation by using the tools of empathy and systemic transformation to safeguard the emotional and mental wellbeing of students. His insightful views create the avenue towards a caring approach to mental health issues of the increasing number of youth in India.

This exclusive interview of mental health specialist, Montube Setlhiku, is an indispensable resource to teachers, policy makers, parents, and students dedicated to the implementation of safe and supportive academic environment and reducing the tragic rise of student suicides through awareness, intervention, and care.