The tragic death of 19-year-old Delhi University student Sneha Debnath, whose body was found in the Yamuna after she went missing on July 7, has once again drawn attention to a silent epidemic: depression among students . Sneha’s final messages suggest she had been silently struggling for months - too often the case with student mental health.

Research reveals deep-rooted distress in Indian youth. A NIMHANS-led study across nine states found nearly 20% of college students show significant depressive symptoms, with around 13% experiencing suicidal thoughts in the past year . Additionally, surveys highlight causes like academic pressure, poor university environments, and personal issues, with nearly 38% of students exhibiting moderate-to-severe depression .

Alarmingly, over 13,000 student suicides were recorded in 2021, and one suicide by a student is reported every hour in India .

Experts warn many suffering in silence, stifled by stigma and unaware of support systems . Programs like Manodarpan, Tele-MANAS, and Kerala’s Jeevani offer voice and hope - but awareness remains limited .

Sneha’s case is a wake-up call: academic excellence cannot come at the cost of mental health. It’s time educational institutions, parents, and peers proactively recognize warning signs and normalize seeking help - before another young mind is lost.