Decoding Suicides in students preparing for competitive exams and higher education:Causes and Solutions

The recent spate of suicides by students in Kota, Rajasthan, has sent shockwaves across the country and ignited a debate on why this is happening. A closer look at the situation reveals that the students are under tremendous pressure to perform, while they are unable to cope with the expectations of their families and the society at large. It is important to understand the underlying causes of these suicides and to put in place measures to ensure that such tragedies do not recur in the future. We need to come up with strategies that will help students to cope better with their academic and personal challenges and to ensure that their mental health is taken care of. This article will take an in-depth look at the causes of the Kota suicides and suggest possible solutions.

Some Facts about the  three suicides  in Kota recently

There were two students from Bihar, ages 17 and 18, living near each other in a PG and attending the same coaching classes. Both were studying for different entrance exams, one for medical and the other for IIT. The two students kept in close contact with their families, talking to them and their parents daily. The night before their death, the two students had met, and both were found to have died from hanging. Neither of them was doing well in their exams or attending classes. A third student from Madhya Pradesh studying for NEET consumed poison after having a conversation with their parents and eating his dinner.

Causes of suicides among students studying in Kota coaching classes

The recent spate of suicides in Kota, Rajasthan, has put the spotlight on the mental health of students. Many parents and students have raised concerns about the level of stress faced by students and the general lack of assistance for students dealing with mental health issues. The media has also speculated about the academic pressure faced by students and the high fees charged by private coaching institutions. This article takes a closer look at the possible causes of the Kota suicides and suggests possible solutions to address them. 

a. Academic pressure

Students often feel that they are not able to cope with the academic pressure and the expectations that are on them. They feel that they need to perform well in their examinations and often feel that they are not able to achieve this. This can lead to a sense of failure and frustration, and put pressure on the students to improve their performance. People also often compare their performance with others and may expect others to perform poorly and be judgmental about other’s academic performance. This can also put pressure on students and make them feel as though they are not able to live up to their own expectations or the expectations of others. Students may also be sensitive to social judgment about their performance. They may feel that their classmates and others in the society may judge them for performing poorly and expect them to perform better in their next examination. This may put pressure on students and make them feel that they have to live up to the expectations of others and perform better.

b. Financial constraints

Parents often have to take loans and take money from their relatives and friends to be able to afford the tutoring fees in Kota. They are also expected to bear the expenses related to their travel and food. This may put students under a lot of stress and add to their problems of academic performance.Some students may have to travel to Kota from other parts of the country, leaving their homes and their parents behind. This can add to their feelings of stress and anxiety, and make them feel a lack of support from their parents. As a result of the removal of parental supervision, students are more left alone. Living in close quarters with other similarly-placed students who are in a cutthroat competition with one another academically is a recipe for disaster. They are struggling emotionally and are looking for support from others, but all they can find are rivals.

Coaching Classes like these are like psychological pressure cookers just waiting to blow.

c. Lack of emotional support

Involvement of Mirror Imaging in 2 Student Deaths in Bihar. One got depressed, while the other shared his reactions and feelings. The already heavy depression was amplified, and so were the ramifications of any terrible decisions made. To the contrary, they were mutually reinforcing each other's destructive behavior rather than pulling them out of the despair.

Many Kota students feel that they have no one to turn to in their moments of crisis. They may feel that they are too ashamed to share their feelings with their parents and may have difficulty in sharing their feelings with their friends and relatives. This can increase their feelings of isolation and make them more prone to suicide. 

Sometimes, students will place unreasonable expectations on themselves and then be harsh on them when they fall short of those benchmarks.

Some students are more sociable than others and, as a result, have a greater need for regular social interaction; however, due to intense competition and demanding time commitments, these students often find themselves isolated.

Students were excessively hard on themselves for not performing well in class and could not accept failure as an option.

In addition, their parents' negative comments reinforced their sense of doom, so they couldn't think about anything but the exam.

d. Warning signs of suicide

Altered conduct: Both became absentee due to stress and depression brought on by the intensity of the competition. They were attempting to escape confrontation with their classmates by running away.Withdrawal is the primary symptom of depression,as a result, we had fewer interactions with other people.When combined with the other friend's already-present depression, this was a recipe for disaster.

Impact of suicides on society

The media reports of suicides in Kota have led to people questioning whether coaching centres are in any way responsible for the tragic deaths. Some parents have also expressed concerns about the high fees that these coaching centres charge, as well as the general pressure that their children face to perform in their examinations. There have also been reports that coaching centres may have taken advantage of the desperation of students by asking them to pay extra money and to take loans to pay the tutoring fees. While the reasons for the Kota suicides may be different from person to person, the fact that this is happening in a significant number of cases cannot be denied. Therefore, it is important for the authorities to understand the underlying causes of these suicides and to put in place measures to ensure that such tragedies do not recur in the future.

Solutions to reduce suicides among students

One way to reduce the number of suicides among students in Kota is to improve the learning environment. This can be done by reducing the number of students in a class, providing adequate space for students to think and reflect, and allowing students to take periodic breaks from their studies. It is important that parents and teachers be more aware of the signs of mental health issues and help students manage their stress better. Mental health issues affect a person’s ability to think clearly and make decisions, and can develop into a serious condition if left untreated. Mental health awareness programmes can be conducted regularly  in coaching classes to help students become more aware of mental health issues, know how to deal with them and seek professional help if needed. 

Message for Parents 

If your child is residing at a hostel, it is imperative that you keep a close eye on them and pay frequent visits. Students' capabilities must be recognised and respected, and they must not be pushed beyond their limits. If a student is struggling academically, parents should avoid making any disparaging comments to them. Pay more attention to the steps taken to prepare for the exam and reward that instead of the total result. Rather than viewing failures negatively, try viewing them as learning opportunities. It is important to integrate mindfulness training into their routine study routine.

In case your planned career path doesn't work out, know that there is always another option that will not always lead to a worse future.

An AI (Artificial Intelligent) Doctor's Appointment on January 5, 2050, with Mitron

Rex had just returned from a vacation to the moon a few days earlier. The doctor had already informed his personal assistant "Mitron v" (an AI assistant) that there had been a modest increase in the white blood cell count. Super robot grade 5 and attached to Rex's circulatory system, "Mitron v" was the belt Rex wore around his wrist. It would monitor his blood parameters and assist him in coordinating daily tasks with other AI gadgets, such as his automobile, mobile phone, and so on. Each person had a unique Mitron based on his or her status. This has been tested for the last five years on other humans, and the higher grade is currently being used for significant beings like Rex.

As soon as the blood showed early myeloblast (cells creating White blood cells) with some malignant alterations, Rex was concerned about his future health concerns. Rex was experiencing a lot of stress due to the fact that they were in their infancy and would not have been spotted by any machine or human 30 years ago. After learning about these changes from the doctor last year, he had already quit smoking. It wasn't until his parents made him put on the diagnostic patch that he realised how much work went into making it as intricate and effective as it was. It was downloaded into Mitron (the super robot) and an AI doctor was using it to constantly monitor vital humans. Last year, Amazon Global made it mandatory for all employees to have Mitron and be constantly monitored. Complex data analysis was extremely difficult, therefore the corporation was extremely concerned about the health and well-being of its employees and the success of their progeny. To get a job at one of these firms, you had to be able to read, analyse, and comprehend vast amounts of data generated by billions of customers every second. A select few were chosen by the company, and Rex was one of them because of his expertise in data analysis and his strong CHRM2 gene. In contrast to his friend Sam, who had been a member of a universal income organisation, these were the few people who were still employed.

It was recently determined by the CEOs of fifty large corporations (collectively referred to as the "Digital Rulers") to provide free health insurance to everyone in the world and to place everyone under the constant supervision of Mitron IV. It was up to Rex, though, to decide whether or not he wanted to follow the advise of the AI doctor. Since most human doctors were no longer allowed to deal directly with patients in hospitals around the world, he had little choice but to accept the position. To ensure that everyone receives the best possible care, this choice was made. As a part of a monitoring group, doctors would only be required to work if the AI was having trouble with its analysis of the disease or with its therapy. In contrast to the Human Doctors, who had no employment but could use the majority of the facilities, those who signed up for this programme were ecstatic.

He was reminded of the doctor's appointment time by a beep on Mitron. Mitron had instructed the car to park itself, and it had done it. In order to be on time for his appointment, Rex was escorted to the hospital by an AI nurse in a special wheelchair cum stretcher automobile. "Mitron" informed Rex of the newest blood results as he approached the doctor's cabin. His white cells had returned to normal thanks to "Mitrontreatment. "'s Because of the unexpected weather change, the AI doctor had previously despatched 605.09 mg of Acetaminophen, which was termed CROCIN OR TYLENOL with AI Mailman when the white cell count had risen. The dosages were based on the patient's weight and the efficacy of the medication (dose calculated as per the weight and the chemical and hormonal balance per individual at that time). They were only available from AI Pharmacist and might be prescribed by an AI doctor. To put it another way, because there were no more medical schools online Humans enrolled in virtual classes taught by AI doctors with tests administered by AI doctors, and the majority of them passed. Most people had a hard time getting good marks. The Digital rulers selected the winners.

Rex was greeted by Ted 0.2211 (the Ai Doctor) in the room. When he went to Rex's Condo, he found the information. Rex's pupils dilated slightly and his face swelled by 3.5 percent, indicating that he was nervous. His cortisol levels had also increased by 10% throughout this time period (stress hormone). As evidence from the Condo, he was able to learn that Rex had similar episodes when on vacation when he was thinking about his identical sibling. Rex was told to relax by Ted. He imitated his mother's voice because he knew Rex would settle down when he heard his mother's voice. He listened to his favourite music, composed by him, to help him relax. Rex waited for Ted to arrive so he could discuss the possibility of removing a cancer gene from Ted's DNA. It was the one that the technogenecist wiped off before his brother was born.

An artificial womb was used to inseminate high-ranking individuals following a thorough genetic examination. Since Ted was already aware of Rex's thoughts, he told his AI team to get to work, gather additional data, and come up with a solution. Genes that cause stomach cancer had been passed down through Rex's parents. Even though science had made advances by the time Rex's sibling was born, researchers were able to remove the dormant gene, but they were unable to do so once Rex was born. A gene that had been latent for so long had the potential to cause malignant mutations by the age of 35, and Rex was only 18 years old. It was the CEO's intention for the AI team to make a breakthrough with Rex because he was one of the world's most important persons. A total of 1530 human trials had failed, resulting in the disease flaring up and early deaths. The global organisation allowed a trial on 1 million people, with a casualty rate of up to 10000 people who were on universal pay scale systems, to proceed. Enrolling in the programme meant that a person no longer had to worry about finding a job. The corporation would pay them a set quantity of bitcoins each month in exchange for their data. At a discounted charge, they could travel, eat, and enjoy the rest of the world's delights.

Rex's tiny shifts Blood had a 50% probability of developing cancer during the course of its 60-year existence. When it came to a very significant human being in 2050, this was simply not acceptable. The corporation hoped that he would live longer. There had been a delay in research, but they would still be able to delete the hazardous gene from Rex's DNA at some point. Ted made Rex comprehend this. To be on the safe side, Ted gave him an additional dose of mild chemotherapy based on his weight. Rex was baffled as to why Amazon Global's technogenecist was taking so long compared to those in Shenyang. Perhaps because of the mega-giants' internal competition, he couldn't solve the situation. Shenyang, a Chinese company, had already successfully tested the technology. Shenyang hoped that by joining the company, Rex would be able to avoid the risk.

Rex was afraid that Mitron would find out about the plan, which would be a problem for him. A year or two of deliberation finally convinced him to put the Mitron in because he had no choice but to. In light of Mitron's warning, Rex sighed inwardly and waited for the breakthrough from his AI team. He was discharged from the hospital. Rex's assistant, Mitron, connected him to Amazon's AI CEO, who assured him that he would recover soon.

This may sound like something out of a science fiction film, but it is a very real threat that will come to bear on the human species at some point. Whether or not it's exactly the same, AI is likely to have a significant impact on our lives. The rate at which technology advances is an indication of the human capacity to deal with complicated tasks via machinery. Until recently, the complicated and fascinating field of medicine was only in the hands of a few individuals like myself, but this will soon change.

There is a lack of doctors and nurses in many countries, including industrialised ones like the United Kingdom. Some examples include eye problems, which might be difficult to detect because of a lack of educated doctors. In the future, AI may be able to assist human practitioners in enhancing their abilities. In addition, medical professionals can devote more time to treating patients now that the diagnosis has been made.

Deep Mind, Google's artificial intelligence engine, was recently used to identify eye disorders. A fully-fledged artificially intelligent doctor may be just around the corner, given that AI is being used to diagnose cancer and that AI-driven smartphone apps are already available that can discuss symptoms and triage patients.

Let's look at an example: In June, Babylon Health claimed that its AI chatbot could reliably detect medical issues just like a doctor. The chatbot developed by the company performed better than the industry average on a practise exam designed for doctors.

Babylon's chatbot scored 82% of the questions correctly, compared to the 72% average for human doctors.

There is a finite set of rules and possibilities that govern a game like Go, no matter how complicated it is. By examining these principles, a computer programme is able to analyse all possible conditions and results in an extremely efficient manner. As a result, it will be able to perform these tasks at an unprecedented level of speed and accuracy.

Another type of challenge that computers excel at is discovering patterns in data. These algorithms are able to detect and fit statistical models to big datasets (or evidence) and identify patterns in the data.

These algorithms are able to see patterns in these datasets that a human doctor would not be able to see. This is due to the fact that tiny, regionally distributed, and complex changes in data points frequently go undetected by visual inspection.

It's difficult for the human senses to do this task. It is possible to build algorithms that can outperform human doctors at specific tasks if the tasks are represented by massive data and rules. That's a good start, but...

However, a doctor's intelligence is significantly more complex than simply recognising patterns and rules. When making decisions and assessments, one must use an entirely new set of mental processes.

When making judgments, humans don't just rely on data, rules, and patterns to guide them; they also use pre-formed observations and knowledge gleaned through first principles, reasoning, planning, and creativity.

In spite of their speed and accuracy, these algorithms have no grasp of core medical ideas or the ability to analyse new scenarios. They may be able to develop hypotheses, but they may not have the ability to prioritise and test them in certain advanced AI implementations.

These AI limitations will necessitate the need for a doctor's intelligence and intuition in the years to come. Currently, AI in healthcare is only capable of accomplishing one thing: improving patient outcomes. Don't undermine the capacity for human reason. It's a joint venture.

To reach to this point, there are considerable obstacles to overcome. Data appears to be both a solution and a hindrance. The more data a machine learning system sees, the better it gets. However, concerns about the privacy and biases inherent in this data remain. Algorithms and partnerships perform better when there is a wider range of options available.

Because more trust is expected by customers and healthcare professionals, more data will be made available for research and development.

Clearly, machines will be able to execute monotonous tasks better than doctors. A more cooperative relationship with an AI doctor will be necessary in the future, rather than a defensive or confrontational one.

In the near future, doctors may be expected to define goals for these machine agents, create them by modelling the basic knowledge, formulate a hypothesis, conduct evaluations, and be the final authority in judgments and suggestions made by AI.

To produce the outcomes and suggestions for better diagnostic and treatment strategies, AI will conduct the computationally hard job that it is best at. In comparison to humans, machines are much more efficient at collecting data and making adjustments. Contrary to the unpredictable nature of humans, machines are programmed to adhere to certain norms and patterns.

Human emotions are one of the most important aspects of a doctor's consultation, yet current AI is unable to respond to them. There were some who doubted it and cast aspersions, but it has become an essential and irreplaceable member of our family.

Medicine and diagnosis aren't the only aspects of health care. For the doctor, it's important knowing that your patient will be able to handle chemotherapy and that their family will be able to provide them with the support they'll need during this difficult time. There is currently no software that can replace that.

We may not be able to do this in the near future, but I believe that if doctors and AI engineers work together we will be able to give better and more universal healthcare. It doesn't matter if it reaches that level, doctors will be able to adjust to the new position in the future.

Ref:
1.https://www.technologyreview.com/s/612458/exclusive-chinese-scientists-are-creating-crispr-babies/

2.http://dopasolution.com/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/