Most MBBS students who died by suicide from 2018-2022 were from Kerala, shows RTI reply

NEW DELHI: Of 64 MBBS and 58 postgraduate medical students who died by suicide between 2018-2022, as found in an RTI reply, the highest number of PG student deaths were reported in Maharashtra and Karnataka while Kerala medical colleges saw the most number of MBBS student suicides.

Vivek Pandey, a social and political activist, filed a fresh Right to Information (RTI) seeking details from the National Medical Commission regarding the number of UG and PG student suicides during the last five years as well as the number of students who dropped out of colleges.

Also read NMC forms task force to address mental health of medical students; final report by May 31

As per the information provided in the RTI reply, 11 postgraduate students died by suicide in medical colleges of Maharashtra and Karnataka each while nine MBBS students died by suicide in Kerala medical colleges.

The number of student dropouts in the last five years was over 1,200. 153 MBBS students and 1,117 PG students left medical colleges, as per the data. 17 students each from Maharashtra and Karnataka left MBBS courses between 2018 and 2022.

Student suicide: State-wise number of deaths

In case of PG student suicides, the MD Clinical branch saw the most deaths. Three students of JSS Medical College, Mysore died by suicide, two in 2018 and one in 2020. Four student suicides were reported in M S Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore – one in 2018, two in 2019 and one in 2022. Even in Gujarat, most of the student suicide cases were found in MD Clinical.

In case of MBBS student suicides, the deaths in Kerala were reported by nine different colleges, however, Thiruvarur Government Medical College in Tamil Nadu lost three student lives.

If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts or tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling 9820466726 or visiting AASRA’s official website or can call iCALL on 9152987821. Here are some more helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.