The recent heartbreaking news of a NEET Topper from 2017, ranked AIR 1, taking his own life while pursuing an MD in Radiology from MAMC—one of India’s most prestigious institutions—has sent shockwaves through the country. The story of a brilliant young man, who achieved what millions only dream of, yet still felt compelled to end his life, raises urgent questions about our society’s approach to success, failure, and mental health. It serves as a stark reminder that no matter how impressive one’s achievements are on paper, the silent battles within can be overwhelming.

This tragedy highlights a glaring void in our educational and social systems. We spend so much time pushing children and young adults toward academic success, drilling into them the importance of hard work, resilience, and financial stability. However, we often overlook the most critical aspect of their development—their mental and emotional well-being.

In a world where pressure mounts from all directions—be it from family, teachers, peers, or society at large—it’s no surprise that many young individuals, even those at the top of their game, find themselves struggling to cope. This particular case is not isolated. It’s part of a growing epidemic that sees students, professionals, and people from all walks of life crumble under the weight of expectations, whether self-imposed or societal.

The NEET Topper’s tragic story brings to light the reality that success, as traditionally defined by society, does not equate to happiness. This young man had reached a level of academic achievement that few can ever hope to reach, yet there was something missing—a gap in the emotional and mental support system around him that could have made all the difference.

We, as a society, talk endlessly about the importance of hard work, how to overcome obstacles on the path to success, and how to build wealth and careers. Yet, we fail to teach our children how to deal with failure, disappointment, or even how to handle the emptiness that can follow success. We are quick to celebrate achievements but often fall silent when it comes to discussing mental health, leaving many to believe they are alone in their struggles.

In this “Kalyuga,” we’ve trained our children to be academically meritorious, but we’ve failed to train them to seek happiness, to find meaning beyond external achievements, and most critically, to ask for help when they are overwhelmed.

As parents, teachers, and society at large, we are quick to judge success based on visible metrics—marks, ranks, job titles. We push children to be the best, to excel in their studies, to secure top positions in highly competitive exams like NEET. But how often do we sit down with them and ask about their emotional well-being? How often do we talk to them about handling failure, heartbreak, or rejection? Do we make it clear that their worth isn’t tied solely to their academic or career achievements?

The truth is, mental health often remains an uncomfortable, taboo subject in many homes, schools, and workplaces. We don’t teach our children how to cope with stress, how to handle failure with grace, or how to manage feelings of inadequacy when their expectations—or those of others—aren’t met. We fail to create spaces where they feel safe to express their fears, insecurities, or dark thoughts without the fear of judgment.

This tragic incident highlights the need for a shift in our collective mindset. We need to place equal importance on emotional intelligence as we do on academic excellence. It’s not enough to produce toppers, we must also cultivate emotionally resilient individuals who can navigate the challenges life throws their way.

The time has come to break the silence around mental health. It’s not enough to talk about it only in the aftermath of such tragedies. We need to have ongoing, open dialogues about mental well-being, making it a priority in schools, workplaces, and homes.

Parents need to be more than cheerleaders for their children’s success—they need to be their emotional anchors, providing a safe space for them to share their struggles. Teachers should go beyond imparting academic knowledge and be trained to recognize the signs of emotional distress in their students. Friends and peers should be encouraged to check in on one another, not just to discuss studies or work but to talk about what’s really going on beneath the surface.

Most importantly, we need to foster a culture where seeking help for mental health is normalized. Therapy, counseling, and even simple conversations about emotional well-being should be as commonplace as discussions about academic performance or career goals.

We must acknowledge that the pressure to succeed can sometimes feel like an unbearable burden for young individuals, especially in a country like India, where academic success is often seen as the primary pathway to a good life. The fear of failure, the constant comparison with peers, and the need to meet the expectations of parents and society can leave even the most accomplished feeling inadequate or isolated.

To prevent further tragedies, we need to build robust support systems around young minds. This includes:

1. Incorporating Mental Health Education: Schools and colleges should include mental health awareness in their curricula, teaching students not just how to succeed academically but how to cope with stress, failure, and emotional challenges.

2. Destigmatizing Therapy and Counseling: There is no shame in seeking help. We need to break down the stigma surrounding therapy and counseling and encourage open conversations about mental health issues.

3. Parental Awareness: Parents need to understand that their children’s happiness is not tied to their academic or professional achievements. They should foster open dialogues and encourage emotional expression without judgment.

4. Peer Support Networks: Students and professionals alike should be encouraged to build strong peer support networks where they can share their experiences, struggles, and fears without fear of judgment or alienation.

5. Mental Health Resources: Educational institutions and workplaces should make mental health resources readily available, from counseling services to helplines, ensuring that individuals have access to the support they need when they need it.

The tragic loss of this young NEET Topper should be a wake-up call for all of us. It’s a painful reminder that success, in the way we traditionally define it, is not enough. We must redefine success to include emotional well-being and happiness. We must prioritize mental health in our schools, homes, and workplaces, and create an environment where individuals feel safe to seek help and express their vulnerabilities.

Only by fostering open conversations and providing adequate support can we hope to prevent future tragedies. It’s time we stop treating mental health as an afterthought and make it a central part of our dialogue as a society. After all, no achievement is worth more than a life.