A 17-year-old girl, P Arthika, from Padugai village near Papanasam in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, tragically died by suicide on May 7, 2025, fearing she would fail her Class 12 state board exams. The following day, results revealed she had actually passed, securing 413 out of 600 marks.
Her family, school officials, and local authorities have expressed deep grief and regret, highlighting the immense psychological pressure faced by students. The incident has sparked renewed debate on the urgent need for robust mental health support and open communication for students across Tamil Nadu and beyond.
A Promising Student Lost to Exam Fear
Arthika, a student of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Papanasam, was reportedly anxious about her performance, particularly in English, after the exams concluded. According to her mother, Tamil Selvi, Arthika had been withdrawn and expressed concern about her marks in the days leading up to the results.
Despite her fears, she scored 413 marks, with individual subject scores of 72 in Tamil, 48 in English, 65 in Physics, 78 in Chemistry, 70 in Botany, and 80 in Zoology. Her mother, devastated by the loss, made a heartfelt plea to other students: “Please don’t take such drastic steps.
Suicide is not the solution for failure. Speak to your parents, teachers, or friends if you feel anxious or scared.” School officials echoed this sentiment, urging students to seek help and assuring them that academic results do not define their worth or future.
Renewed Focus on Student Mental Health
Arthika’s death has once again shone a spotlight on the mental health crisis among students in Tamil Nadu. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows a worrying trend of student suicides linked to academic pressure.
In response, the Tamil Nadu government has rolled out initiatives like the ‘MaNaM Thittam’ (Mental Health Support Programme), which deploys trained counsellors to schools and conducts regular awareness sessions. Additionally, the state has partnered with UNICEF and other agencies to pilot a four-year mental health project in select districts, aiming to build resilience and coping skills among students.
Local police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances, while education officials have reiterated their commitment to strengthening support systems in schools. Experts and activists are calling for more proactive engagement from parents, teachers, and communities to identify signs of distress early and offer timely intervention.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Arthika’s story is a heartbreaking reminder that no exam result is worth a young life. The Logical Indian stands in solidarity with her family and calls for a collective commitment to nurturing emotional well-being and resilience in our children.
We urge parents to foster open conversations, educators to create supportive learning environments, and policymakers to ensure accessible mental health resources in every school.
Academic setbacks are a part of life, not a measure of one’s value or potential. Let us work together to replace fear with hope, and silence with understanding. How can we, as a society, better recognise and respond to the mental health needs of our children?
