A 22-year-old engineering student from Vadodara allegedly died by suicide after jumping from the 8th floor of the Maple Vista residential building near Akshar Chowk. The deceased was a second-year mechanical engineering student at The Maharaja Sayajirao University.
Emergency services, including the police, 108 ambulance, and fire brigade, rushed to the scene after being alerted about the incident. However, by the time officials arrived, the student had already jumped. Despite efforts by the ambulance team to revive him with CPR, he was declared dead at the spot.
The body has been sent for post-mortem, and JP Road Police have launched an investigation. No suicide note has been found so far, and the reason behind the extreme step remains unknown.
This incident adds to the growing concern over mental health issues and rising suicide cases in Gujarat, particularly in urban areas. In the first 45 days of 2025 alone, Ahmedabad reported over 100 suicides. Major cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, and Rajkot have become suicide hotspots, accounting for thousands of deaths annually.
Between 2020 and 2025, Gujarat reported over 25,500 suicides. In 2022–23 alone, 8,557 cases were registered. Experts point to a combination of factors including academic stress, unemployment, financial hardship, relationship struggles, and family disputes.
Student suicides are particularly alarming, with nearly 500 reported between 2020 and 2023, the highest number in Ahmedabad. Academic pressure, peer expectations, and lack of access to proper mental health support are seen as major contributors.
Even more troubling is the increase in suicide attempts during this period, reflecting a widespread emotional and psychological strain.
In some heartbreaking cases, entire families have ended their lives due to debt and social pressure—such as the mass suicide by a family in Mehsana earlier this year that sent shockwaves across the state.
While the government has introduced mental health helplines like Jeevan Aastha (1800 233 3330), Abhayam (181), and Jindagi (1096) and has launched awareness programs in schools and colleges, the impact of these efforts remains limited. Challenges such as mental health stigma, poor outreach in rural areas, and a shortage of professionals continue to hinder progress.
This tragedy serves as yet another grim reminder of the urgent need to prioritise mental health infrastructure, particularly for young people navigating intense personal, academic, and social pressures.