BY PRIYA SRINIVASAN AND RAMYA RAJU*
Every year, thousands of Indian students arrive in the United States with dreams that have often been shared by entire families. Behind every acceptance letter is a story of sacrifice — parents dipping into savings, students spending years preparing for exams, and relatives proudly telling neighbors, “Our child is going to America.” Yet beneath these celebrations, some students quietly carry loneliness, pressure, uncertainty, and struggles that they may never voice.
Mental Health Awareness Month serves as an important reminder that emotional well-being, reducing stigma, and fostering supportive conversations should remain priorities throughout the year.
For the Indian community in the United States, this is an opportunity to reflect on how we can better support students from India and students of Indian origin as they pursue their education, careers, and aspirations.
In recent years, there have been reports of student deaths among young people from India and students of Indian origin in the United States, raising concerns among families, universities, and diaspora communities.
According to figures from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, there were 108 deaths among Indian students in the United States between June 2020 and June 2024, with an additional 10 reported since June 2024.
These deaths occurred under various circumstances and should be approached with care and compassion. Nonetheless, they highlight the critical need to enhance student well-being, safety, mental health awareness, and support systems for students living far from home.[1]
Many students may face pressures that are not always visible. Indian students might need to adjust to a new academic system, live far from their families, manage financial responsibilities, navigate visa or job-related uncertainties, and establish a new sense of belonging. Students of Indian origin raised in the U.S. may also encounter pressures related to their identity, family expectations, comparison, and the challenge of balancing cultural values with their desire for independence.
These experiences do not apply to every student; many can thrive with the right support and community. However, they serve as a reminder that achievement and well-being must go hand in hand. Supporting student mental health is not separate from academic success; rather, it is essential to it.
In many South Asian families and communities, discussing mental health can still be challenging. A student may hesitate to share their distress because they do not want to worry their parents, disappoint loved ones, or be misunderstood. Some individuals may lack the language or confidence to articulate their feelings, while others might feel pressured to handle their difficulties alone and keep their emotional struggles private.
Research on Asian American and Asian international college students has shown that stigma can lead to lower intentions to seek professional mental health support. This underscores the importance of reducing shame and normalizing seeking help in culturally sensitive ways.[2]
This is why gentle, supportive conversations matter.
As families and communities, we can broaden how we check in — asking not only, “How are our students doing academically?” but also, “How are they feeling?” Not only, “What are they achieving?” but also, “Do they feel supported, connected, and able to reach out when things feel difficult?”
Mental health support does not begin only in a counseling office. It can begin at home, with friends, in student groups, in faith and cultural spaces, and in community organizations. It begins when a parent listens without judgment, when a friend checks in, when a mentor notices a change, and when community leaders help normalize seeking support.
Supportive awareness also means recognizing that distress may not always be expressed directly. A student may not say, “I am depressed” or “I need help.” Instead, they may say, “I am exhausted,” “I feel overwhelmed,” “I feel like I am falling behind,” or “I don’t know what to do.” These can be important moments to pause, listen attentively, offer reassurance, and help guide them toward appropriate support.
To students from India and students of Indian origin: your value is not determined only by your grades, degrees, jobs, immigration status, or the expectations placed upon you. If you are struggling, you deserve support. Reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, mentor, campus counseling center, or health professional is an important act of self-care and a meaningful step toward support and connection.
To families and community members: let us frequently and clearly remind our young people that they matter beyond their achievements. Let us listen before offering advice, support before judging, and encourage them to seek help with compassion and consistency.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing suicidal thoughts in the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In case of an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Beyond Mental Health Awareness Month, let us strive to build a community where success includes emotional well-being, where strength is found in asking for help, and where every student feels valued, supported, and connected.
A simple way to remember this is through the acronym CARE:
- C – Connection
- A – Awareness
- R – Reach-Out
- E – Empathy
References
1. Times of India. “Over 100 students among
160 Indians who died in US since 2020: MEA data.”
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/over-100-students-among-160-indians-who-died-in-us-since-2020-mea-data/articleshow/124537281.cms
2. Han M, Pong H. Mental health help-seeking
behaviors among Asian American community college students: The effect of
stigma, cultural barriers, and acculturation. Journal of College Student
Psychotherapy. Available from PubMed Central:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10371199/
*Author Bios
Priya Srinivasan is a public health consultant, researcher, Master Certified Life Coach, Certified QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Instructor, Doctor of Public Health candidate, and founder of Mindful Achievement of Goals for Individuals and Communities, LLC.
Ramya Raju is a counseling psychologist and child development specialist based in India, as well as a Certified Life Coach, Certified QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Instructor, and advisor and collaborator with the organization.
