Kurnool: More students are victims of suicides

KURNOOL: Loneliness, academic pressure, nuclear families are among the many reasons that are driving students to commit suicides in Kurnool district. According to information provided by the SP office, at least 500 suicide cases have been reported from different parts of the district since January, 2016, to October. Of this, students and youth account to 30-40 per cent of suicides.

Suicide by a student of RGM Engineering  College in Panyam  shocked many in the district. Even before one could find the reason behind her death, two more students ended their lives in Kurnool city on Friday. The police suspect academic pressure to be the reason behind the suicides. The frequency at which these suicides have taken place sounded an alarm in the enforcement wing.

A circle inspector at RGM Engineering College, Panyam, said that jealousies among the students was also a cause driving students to commit suicide. He said smart phones, instant messaging, facebook, instagrams and other social networks were also leading to mental pressure and disturbances among the students, who are at a tender age and in a confused state. A psychologist, Soumya, who takes personality development classes for engineering students, advised students to live in groups while staying in hostels.

Consumerism, peer pressure, desire to be first in the competition are also driving students to the extreme step, she said during a meeting held with the eningeering students recently. Though colleges are having anti-ragging committees, but in reality, they are not functioning effectively. If the staff members interact with students regularly, students can be relieved of their stress to some extent, said another lecturer.