24% students in Karnataka & Telangana distressed by fear of letting down parents

A survey on the mental well-being of students of Karnataka and Telangana has revealed that nearly 24 per cent, aged between 10 and 18, are suffering from psychological distress, often due to crippling fear of letting their parents or teachers down. The report is based on responses from over 5,000 students across government and independent schools in the two states. The survey was conducted by an Australia-based psychological wellness platform, GM5, that has been collaborating on projects in India for the past three years. They released the report highlighting the growing mental health crisis among school students in Karnataka and Telangana on World Mental Health Day.

According to the report, more than 60 per cent of students reported sleep difficulties, such as trouble falling asleep or waking up not well-rested, while 70 per cent faced problems with focus and concentration in class. Around 40 per cent of students expressed concerns about disappointing important people in their lives, like parents and teachers, and nearly 75 per cent felt isolated and disconnected from support networks, which puts them at high risk when faced with emotional and academic challenges in the long run.

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“There is a need for structured, cohort-based (grouping in small communities for learning) psycho-education programmes in schools as well as technology-driven mental health solutions. With confidential screening, schools can identify issues early and provide the support students need,” said Dr Lisa Fahey, OAM, founder and CEO, GM5. However, while private schools often have counsellors who double up as teachers, government school students do not have access to one. The findings point to the importance of early screening and better collaboration between students, teachers, and parents to provide targeted support for challenges like sleep, focus, and stress management among young people. Give Me Five (GM5) is a psychological wellness and technology platform that supports early detection and intervention for mental health in schools, workplaces, and communities.