New Delhi: Outrage over recent student suicides has prompted experts to call for reforms to create “mentally healthy schools”, while parents' associations are demanding government takeover of institutions linked to such incidents. The focus is on systemic changes to prevent further loss of young lives.

On Tuesday, a Class 10 student of St Columba's School in New Delhi, who once aspired to become “the next Shah Rukh Khan”, died after allegedly jumping from the Rajendra Place Metro station following months of harassment by teachers.

While the incident has triggered national debate, mental health expert Neha Kirpal warns against polarisation, stressing that “suicidality is everyone's responsibility” — teachers, parents, staff, caregivers and the wider community.

She noted that suicidal thoughts rarely arise suddenly and that warnings are often missed due to myths or assumptions. Kirpal said PTAs and school associations must collaborate to address suicidality systemically and recognise early warning signs.

India has seen several similar cases in recent weeks. In Madhya Pradesh's Rewa, a Class 11 student died by suicide after alleging physical assault by a teacher. Earlier this month, a nine-year-old in Jaipur jumped from her school's fourth floor after months of alleged bullying.

Experts say suicidality among children is rising, with India accounting for “one-third of the global suicide burden” and suicide being the leading cause of death among youth aged 15-29.

Kirpal urged stakeholders to focus on systemic gaps in preparedness, mental health support and institutional response rather than on graphic details of incidents. She suggested legislation mandating “mentally healthy schools”, evaluated on standardised criteria for staffing, training, counsellor availability and resources.

She said current systems face deficits in counselling support, training, budgets and structured mental health frameworks, adding that teachers' mental health also needs attention.

Clinical psychologist Jayanti Dutta said many students face hostile environments where teachers under pressure fail to address bullying. She noted that counsellors often do not intervene and that students lose trust when they cannot confide in adults.

Aparajitha Gautam, president of the Delhi Parents' Association, held schools directly accountable, calling them “commercialised, insensitive and defensive”. She alleged that complaints go unheard and that committees and counsellors often exist only on paper. She demanded criminal action, cancellation of recognition and government takeover.

Four staff members of St Columba's School, including the headmistress, have been suspended after an FIR was registered in the Delhi case involving alleged mental harassment of the student.