🌧️ Why We Need to Talk More

When a teenager dies by suicide, it’s not just one life gone — it’s a ripple through family, school, friends. Over the past few years, Nagpur has seen an alarming rise in teenage and juvenile suicides. Understanding why, how, and what we can do is crucial if we want to change this pattern.

---

📊 What the Data Tells Us

These are real numbers from Nagpur (2020-2025) that show how serious the issue is:

• Between 2020-2024, over 111 teenagers (aged under 18) died by suicide in Nagpur. Among them, 59 were girls. (nagpurnews.live)
• In 2024 alone, there were 674 suicides in Nagpur overall, including 23 minors below age 18. (nagpurnews.live)
• Of these juvenile cases in 2024, 10 were boys and 13 were girls. (nagpurnews.live)
• The most common triggers in these reports: domestic disputes, academic pressure, mental stress, social media pressures, romantic or relationship issues. (nagpurnews.live)

These numbers are more than just statistics—they reflect real pain, struggles, and often, missed chances to help.

---

🔍 Real Incidents & Examples

To make this concrete, here are a few real stories from Nagpur. They help us see what warning signs looked like, what led up to tragedy, and where interventions could have made a difference.

1. Hingna case (Mobile phone restriction triggering despair)
   A 16-year-old girl in Mangli village, Hingna, died by suicide after her father restricted her mobile phone usage to reduce her overdependence. It is reported she became very upset at that restriction. (www.ndtv.com)
   What this tells us: For some teens, devices are their escape, their connection. When that is suddenly cut, without support or conversation, emotional distress can escalate.
2. Ankita Khobragade’s case (Relationship, betrayal & emotional abuse)
   Ankita, 19, had been in relationship since minor age. Her family alleges extended emotional abuse, betrayal, false promises, and manipulation. Shortly before her death she had a confrontation on social media and wrote a suicide note. (The Times of India)
   Lessons: Emotional abuse, betrayal, feeling trapped or unable to express distress, can weigh heavily on teens. Also, online confrontations often aggravate distress.
3. AIIMS-Nagpur intern suicide (Exam stress & isolation)
   Sanket Panditrao Dabhade, 22, an intern who had completed MBBS, died by suicide in his hostel. Reports suggest exam / internship stress. Friends said he seemed “okay” but had never spoken about how overwhelmed he felt. (Reddit)
   Key insight: Even high-achieving students or medical professionals are not immune. Strong performance outwardly can mask deep stress and despair.

---

🧠 Deeper Underlying Causes (Local Context + Broader Factors)

From the data, the interviews, and clinic work, here are the causes we see repeatedly:

Category	Specific Issues in Nagpur	How They Amplify Risk
Academic Pressure	Students preparing for NEET, JEE, medical internships. Expectations of family, coaching classes. Fear of failure.	High stakes. Poor performance feels like personal failure. Rumination, perfectionism.
Family Conflict & Communication Gap	Frequent arguments about mobile use, curfew, career decision, comparisons with siblings. Families not trained to notice emotional distress.	Teens feel misunderstood. Shame prevents speaking up. Problems bottleneck inside.
Social Media & Online Exposure	Comparing life with curated posts, cyberbullying, exposure to unrealistic standards, fear of judgment.	Relationship with self-worth becomes fragile. Online harassment or rejection hurts deeply.
Relationship Breakups & Emotional Abuse	Romantic relationships starting early, emotional manipulation, false vows. Many teens feel hopeless when things go wrong.	Emotional dependency, blame, low self-esteem.
Mental Health Disorders, Undiagnosed	Depression, anxiety, sometimes more complex psychiatric conditions, often unnoticed or untreated.	Without treatment or support, symptoms worsen—sleep issues, mood swings, suicidal thoughts.
Isolation & Lack of Support	Nuclear families, less peer support, stigma about mental health. Teens feel alone.	When no one to talk to, internal pressure builds until it becomes unbearable.
Triggering Events	Exam failure, breakup, online shame, parental restriction, loss of someone. Sometimes the final stressor is small but cumulative burden is high.	These act like tipping points. Even “small” triggers can cause the last straw effect.

---

⚠️ Warning Signs Families & Schools Should Monitor

Often warning signs are there, but people misinterpret or ignore them. Here are signs to watch carefully. If several appear, consider reaching out:

• Academic drop: grades falling, missing classes, skipping school.
• Social withdrawal: avoiding friends, conversations, not participating in family.
• Changes in sleep or appetite: insomnia or oversleeping, neglecting hygiene.
• Frequent mood swings: anger, irritability, sadness.
• Expressing hopelessness or guilt (“I’m a burden”, “Nobody cares about me”).
• Talking or writing about death or self-harm, even indirectly.
• Giving away valuables or saying goodbye.
• Sudden calm after a period of moodiness (may mean decision has been made).
• Increased screen time, especially late nights; accessing harmful online content.

In the Hingna case, mobile restriction was a trigger. The student’s distress was likely building before that. (www.ndtv.com)

In Ankita’s case, emotional abuse and betrayal had been going on; the confrontation on social media worsened her distress. (The Times of India)

---

🛠 What Families, Schools & Community Can Do

It’s possible to reduce suicide risk when actions are taken early and compassionately.

1. Open, Safe Conversation
   • Ask open-ended questions: “How are you feeling lately?”, “Do you feel stressed?”
   • Listen without immediately criticizing or giving advice. Sometimes being heard is powerful.
2. Normalize Mental Health Care
   • Therapy, counseling is strength, not shame.
   • Schools should have counsellors; parents should know local mental health resources.
3. Manage Academic Stress
   • Balance expectations. Emphasize effort, not just scores.
   • Encourage hobbies, breaks, rest.
4. Limit Harmful Online Exposure
   • Monitor social media usage, check for cyberbullying or toxic content.
   • Encourage digital breaks: no phones in bedrooms, screen-free time before sleep.
5. Teach Coping Skills
   • Emotion regulation: breathing, journaling, mindfulness.
   • Problem solving: naming stressors, planning small steps.
6. Crisis Planning & Safety
   • If teen expresses suicidal thoughts, do not leave them alone.
   • Remove access to harmful means.
   • Contact mental health professionals immediately.
7. Community & Institutional Role
   • Awareness drives in schools, colleges.
   • Peer support groups.
   • Training teachers to detect warning signs.
   • Setting up helplines, counseling centres locally.

---

🌅 Hope & Recovery

Yes, change is possible. Many adolescents recover, go on to have fulfilling lives.

Some recoveries may be slow; there may be relapse. But granting hope, being present, and accessing professional help tilts the scale heavily toward healing.

---

📞 If You Need Help

If you or someone you care about shows warning signs, reach out:

Mind & Mood Clinic, Nagpur
Dr. Rameez Shaikh, MD (Psychiatrist & Counsellor)
Phone: +91-8208823738

Therapy is confidential. You do not have to suffer in silence.

---

⚠️ Disclaimer

This blog is for educational purposes only. It does not substitute personal psychiatric evaluation or emergency care. If someone is in immediate danger or having suicidal thoughts, reach out to a mental health professional immediately.