Exploring the Epidemiology of Suicide in Youth and the Potential of Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

Social change is an inevitable feature of human society; further seeking changes in many forms of human grouping, the relative forms of interactions and also the social relationships. In this framework of sustenance and perseverance, the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) hold a prominent place. They receive individuals who are almost rigidly formed with their notions, choices, personality orders and traits. The institutions of higher education are in fact meant to train people for being adaptive to a professional set up, by widening the possibilities of their employability. There are multiple challenges, these places of education combat, while marching ahead for the set aim. One of the toughest issues, the higher education institutions face in the contemporary India is ‘Suicides’ committed by the students. Suicide in youth is a major concern of sustainability and development today. The statistics reflect that in India, suicide is one of the major causes of death in Indian youth falling in the age of 15-29 years. Youth is usually tender in susceptibility and perception. It perceives situations in hurry, with lack of patience and logistics. In many situations, young boys and girls jump to the conclusion that ending life is the only option that can help them get rid of their agony or burdens. This happens because they find lack of guidance, hand holding and resolution mechanisms in the world they see. Referring to ‘Ethno methodology’ and ‘Phenomenology’; the young boys and girls construct their own social reality, give a meaning to it and account for the methods they use to undertake this socio-psychological process. Until this age, the predominant influence on tem has been of the ‘social institutions’; which socialized them in their own ways with their own value systems. The role of the HEIs begins here and that is very crucial. The present paper aims at understanding the Epidemiology of Suicide’ in youth; by exploring the factors behind high number of incidences of suicides in youth of the nation. Alongside, the focus is to redefine the role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in curbing the suicidal tendencies in youth.  Suicide as a cause of death can be checked if the HEIs work on the areas likes mental health of the students and development of curriculum which is functional for happiness of youth; by increasing opportunities related to employability; financial self-reliance and above all emotional wellbeing through systematically available counseling provisions. The findings further state that HEIs can be instrumental in controlling suicides in youth, if there is an adequate emphasis on sex education; modernism; gender neutrality; juvenile culture and the like. This can be done directly by the institutions in case of residential campuses and in other cases, the parents can be involved on voluntary basis.   The paper derives information and statistics from the secondary sources of information. Exploratory research design has been used to interpret and explain the issue of suicides in youth. The paper shall be a combination of analysis of the data; and doctrinal as well as theoretical developments on ‘suicide’ and ‘institutions’.