Rising Suicide Rates Among Minors in Assam: A Call for Urgent Action

Mental Health Crisis in Assam

Guwahati, Aug 3: Since 2021, Assam has witnessed over 2,400 suicides among minors, highlighting a severe mental health crisis that is increasingly affecting the youth.

Disturbingly, young girls are disproportionately affected, with more than 1,400 of the recorded suicides being female minors. This trend indicates a troubling vulnerability among underage girls compared to their male counterparts.

Statistics reveal that nearly two minors take their own lives each day, with the frequency of these tragic events on the rise. The data suggests that the struggles faced by these young individuals often go unnoticed until it is too late.

Moreover, the issue extends beyond just minors, as an average of ten individuals, including both minors and adults, die by suicide daily in Assam. Official records show that 3,262 people took their lives in 2021, increasing to 3,320 in 2022. Although there was a slight decrease to 3,051 in 2023, the numbers surged again to 3,203 in 2024 and reached a concerning 3,477 in 2025, indicating a persistent and escalating problem despite heightened awareness of mental health issues.

Another alarming aspect is the method of suicide; over 90% of these cases involved hanging, emphasizing the urgent need for effective suicide prevention strategies, timely interventions, and increased public awareness.

Experts attribute the rising suicide rates to various factors, including academic pressure, family disputes, social isolation, relationship challenges, and untreated mental health issues.

Child rights advocate Subir Roy expressed concern over the high rates of suicidal tendencies among minors, particularly girls. He pointed out that contemporary issues such as family conflicts, academic stress, relationship breakdowns, severe digital addiction, and underlying mental health struggles like depression contribute significantly to this crisis. He advocates for the integration of life skills training in school curricula to help students manage emotions, make decisions, and solve problems effectively.

Roy also emphasized the importance of equipping parents with positive parenting skills and suggested regular workshops for couples to strengthen family dynamics.

A teacher from Guwahati highlighted the urgent need for a collaborative approach involving the government, educational institutions, parents, and civil society to address the alarming rise in suicides among minors, especially girls. He stressed that enhancing school counseling services, improving access to mental health care, fostering open discussions about emotional health, and creating safe environments for children to seek help are critical steps that must be taken immediately.

A retired police officer remarked that the increasing suicide rates serve as a stark reminder that this issue is not just a personal tragedy but a significant public health concern. He expressed deep worry over reports of children as young as 13 and 14 contemplating suicide, warning that without collective action to tackle the root causes, Assam risks losing more young lives to a crisis that is both preventable and heartbreaking. He called for better regulation and monitoring of task-based mobile applications to mitigate these risks.