Kolkata youth not ok. New study just proves it

A new study by the Institute of Psychiatry, IPGMER shows a sharp rise in suicide and substance abuse among Kolkata’s youth, pointing to a dangerous mix of academic pressure, emotional neglect, stigma, and easy access to drugs. According to NCRB 2022 data, over 13,000 student suicides were reported in India, which amounts to nearly one every hour. West Bengal accounted for roughly 2% of these cases. Additionally, 7% of school students in the state use tobacco, 3% consume alcohol, and 2% have used illegal drugs. Over 12% reported suicidal thoughts, and more than 3% had attempted suicide. The data is stark, but the warning is clear. Devdeep Roy Chowdhury, a senior clinical psychologist in Kolkata says, “Without early intervention, we risk losing more lives to problems that are easily preventable.” CT takes a deeper look into this concerning issue.

We’ve normalised drinking and smoking, but ignored the mental health behind it. That’s the real danger– Poulami Sengupta, clinical psychologistFilms like Animal and Kabir Singh glamourise addiction. They send the wrong message – that smoking and drinking make you look cool or powerful– Mayank Kumar, assistant professor, Institute of Psychiatry, IPGMER

‘They just want to feel like they belong somewhere’
With more families going nuclear, children often feel emotionally unanchored. “In joint families, there were cousins and elders around. In nuclear setups, the sense of connection comes only from peer groups,” says Poulami Sengupta. She adds, “The need to belong is strong—and sometimes, that means joining in when friends drink or use drugs.” Adolescents and college students remain most vulnerable, a stage that psychologists call the “age of expression and experimentation.”

‘We don’t have enough juvenile rehabs’
Despite increased conversation around mental health, support systems remain limited. “There are several rehab centres in Bengal, but most lack proper infrastructure and an understanding that not all cases should be treated the same way,” said Juhi Sharma, a college professor who has handled student substance abuse cases.
Poulami Sengupta, a clinical psychologist says, “Expecting one psychiatrist to manage it all is like expecting a general physician to treat every disease. We need specialised professionals who understand youth psychology”

‘In our homes, distress is brushed aside’
Psychologists say that many Bengali families still treat mental health as a taboo. “In most homes, emotional struggles are dismissed with phrases like ‘it’s just a phase,’” says Devdeep Roy Chowdhury. “There’s little space to acknowledge vulnerability. This happens especially with boys, where expression is still seen as weakness.”
Substance use, he adds, is often treated as a moral failing, rather than a coping mechanism or cry for help.