Why Did a 13-Year-Old Boy Take His Own Life Over 'Forced' Hostel Admission?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Parental pressure can have dire consequences on children's mental health.
- Open communication about mental health is essential.
- Educational institutions need to implement better support systems for students.
- Awareness campaigns should address the challenges faced by students today.
- Community involvement is crucial in supporting vulnerable youth.
Kalaburagi (Karnataka), July 10 (NationPress) In a heartbreaking incident, a 13-year-old boy tragically took his own life on Thursday in Kalaburagi district, Karnataka, after being forced into a hostel against his will.
The boy, Narayana Rathod, was a student in Class 7 at Indira Gandhi Residential School in Mudhol town, Sedam taluk, Kalaburagi district. Narayana was from Paanegaon in Kalaburagi taluk.
As per police reports, he was not in favor of being admitted to the residential school and had expressed his intention to commit suicide if compelled to attend. Despite his pleas, his parents insisted he join the hostel to pursue his studies. Just 15 days prior, he had made a suicide attempt.
Following further counseling, his parents again left him at the hostel. Unable to cope with being away from his mother, he ultimately took his life within the hostel premises. The Sedam police have opened a case and are investigating, including gathering statements from the boy's family, hostel staff, and friends.
This incident follows several others, including the death of Vishnu Priya, a 22-year-old medical student found dead in her hostel room in Shivamogga district on June 2. She was nearing the end of her internship at Subbaiah Medical College.
On June 29, another tragic case emerged when a 15-year-old girl named Shamitha was discovered dead by suicide in a hostel in Koppa town, Chikkamagaluru district. Shamitha had been studying at the residential school since the sixth grade, and the reasons for her death are still under investigation.
Additionally, on May 29, a first-year engineering student, Tejaswini, reportedly ended her life in her hostel in Kodagu district due to academic pressure, leaving behind a note expressing her struggles with backlogs.