1 student commits suicide every hour in India, over 9,000 died in 2016: Report

Data procured by the home ministry has unearthed shocking facts about the rate of suicide in the country.

According to statistics, one student commits suicide every hour in India which amounts to close to 26 suicides committed in a day.

Going by the latest data, nearly 26,476 students took their life between 2014 and 2016. Around 9,474 students committed suicide in the year 2016.

Maharashtra and Bengal emerged on top with the highest number of suicides cases.

Lakshadweep, on the other hand, reported no suicide. 

Research blames acute stress and depression for suicide among teenagers and young adults.

Data also attributes 10% to 15% of suicide incidents to drug and alcohol abuse.

Adolescence is a critical phase which can often get exceedingly overwhelming for some individuals.

World Health Organisation's 'Health for the world’s adolescents' report reveals depression as the predominant cause of "illness and disability for both boys and girls aged 10 to 19 years".

"Globally, depression is the number 1 cause of illness and disability in this age group, and suicide ranks number 3 among causes of death. Some studies show that half of all people who develop mental disorders have their first symptoms by the age of 14. If adolescents with mental health problems get the care they need, this can prevent deaths and avoid suffering throughout life," notes the WHO report.

President Ram Nath Kovind also addressed the issue recently urging students not to stigmatise mental health issues.

President Kovind spoke at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) on December 30 and asked people to talk openly about depression and mental health.