Siddharth Shankar Upadhyay
“I felt like a failure and a burden… it was getting unbearable to live like this.” These heartbreaking words from Sneha Debnath’s suicide note reflect the silent, suffocating weight many young people carry beneath bright smiles and glittering CVs. A recent tragedy in Delhi has left many shaken. Sneha Debnath, a 19-year-old mathematics student at Delhi University, was found dead in the Yamuna River after being missing for six days. Her final note simply said, “It was my decision. No one is responsible.”
Sneha was pursuing two demanding courses Mathematics and Data Science, while interning with an Australian firm. Her life, on the outside, seemed full of promise. But over the past few months, friends noticed a change. Behind the ambition was exhaustion, behind the brilliance, an invisible storm. Sneha’s story is not an isolated incident, it mirrors a growing crisis among students across India: the crisis of invisible emotional suffering.
The Hidden Pressure Behind College Life
College is often described as a time of discovery, joy, and new beginnings. But for many students, it’s also a period of intense personal battles. Academic stress, fear of failure, loneliness, career anxiety, and social comparison often weigh heavily on young minds. In India, where the education system prioritizes marks over mental health, students often feel trapped in a race with no finish line. Talking about mental health is still seen as a weakness in many families and communities. As a result, many students wear a brave face while breaking silently inside. India records one of the highest numbers of student suicides globally. This is not just a statistic, it is a warning bell.
Today’s world is flooded with information, screens, and constant notifications. Ironically, this hyper-connected world has led to deeper disconnection, from self, from nature, and from real human bonds. In this age of digital overload, it is crucial for students to slow down and rediscover their roots. India has always been a land of spiritual wisdom, teaching inner balance, mindfulness, and the importance of “living in the moment.”
Mental peace is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Success without inner balance is hollow. When students nurture emotional health, they don’t just survive college, they grow, thrive, and build meaningful lives. Peace does not mean avoiding challenges. It means learning to face them with strength and calm. Ancient practices like meditation, yoga, pranayama, and reflective silence are not outdated, they are urgently needed tools to light the path forward. We must use this wisdom to build not just successful lives, but meaningful ones. Colleges should be spaces for holistic growth, not just academic output. Students need access to mental health support that’s approachable and stigma-free. From the first year, they should learn simple tools like breathing exercises, journaling, mindfulness, and emotional resilience to manage stress. Safe spaces for open conversations about fear, anxiety, and failure are essential. Various groups and college societies help build community through debates, cultural events, and social activities, giving students a sense of connection and belonging. College should nurture not just minds, but whole individuals.
A Gentle Message to Students
If you are reading this and feel lost or overwhelmed, remember: You are not alone. Life is not a competition; it’s a journey. There will be hard days, but there is always help, hope, and healing available. It’s okay to ask for support. It’s okay to slow down. Your life is valuable, not because of your marks or achievements, but because of the unique person you are. Let’s work together to create campuses and a society where students graduate not just with degrees, but with peace of mind, courage in the heart, and a deep sense of connection to life itself. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please reach out. One conversation can save a life.
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