When I was in Class 8, in Kota, I began feeling different. I noticed that while others seemed coping, I wasn't. The schedule—classes from early morning, tests after tests, weekend mocks, peer comparison—left little room to breathe. Many of my peers handled it; I didn't feel I could.
Over time, I became afraid of making mistakes, afraid of being left behind. I felt invisible, as though society expected me to just grit through. I was also undertaking NEET preparation, believing that medical college was the goal. But I'm convinced now that the goal was something different: to understand mental health and to help others who feel sidelined.
When I heard about the 25 suicides recorded in one week in our area, I couldn't ignore it. I realised that many students end up believing there is no way out, because they feel alone, stuck, unsupported. And I understood: the community — peer group, coaches, family, institutions — can become either a source of pressure or a source of refuge.
What the research says about having a way out
The fact that so many students are struggling doesn't mean there's no hope. Support systems exist—and recognising you have a right to seek help is the first step. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reports that supporting young people's mental wellbeing is central to their learning-to-earning journey.
In India, national resources are available: for example, the 'Manodarpan' initiative offers emotional support for students.
What the studies emphasise: having adult listeners, having friends you trust, having professional help available — matter. The atmosphere of silence and stigma must be broken.
You're not alone — We're in this together
If you are reading this and you're a student who feels pressured, lost, unseen: I want to tell you this now — you are not alone.
You may feel your world is collapsing, that the pressure is unstoppable, that you don't deserve help. I've been there. Yet I took one step: I reached out, I allowed someone to see my pain, I found that there are people who want to help. I found that community is possible. I found a path into psychology, to speak for those who suffer silently.
If your hands feel tied, look around and reach out.
Talk to a friend, a counsellor, a teacher. Use helplines. You may not believe it now, but help works. I've seen it. I've lived it.
We are bigger than any problem. We are stronger than any exam. We are together in this.
What I hope for and how we can change things
Here's what I hope for you—and us:
- Institutions should treat mental-health support as equal priority to academic coaching.
- Coaching centres must factor in breaks, peer-support groups, counselling access.
- Families and peers must talk openly: pressure is real, failure is not fatal, feelings are valid.
- Students should learn emotional literacy, coping skills, and build friendship networks that listen.
- You should believe: my voice matters, my story matters, help is possible.
If you are reading this: remember the day you feel weakest may be the day you find your strongest voice. Maybe you'll become the one who reaches out next. Maybe you'll help someone else believe they are not alone.