Depression and Suicidal Ideation Among College Students with and without Learning Disabilities in Tamil Nadu Regions: Chennai and Coimbatore

Abstract

This research investigates depression and suicidal ideation among college students with and without learning difficulties in Chennai and Coimbatore, two cities in Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 28,745 students aged 17 to 23 participated, comprising 11,203 male and 17,542 female students. Utilizing three validated instruments, the study employed a descriptive research approach with a purposive sample technique. Data analysis involved calculating mean, standard deviation, and Pearson product-moment correlation. Results indicated that students with learning disabilities were more prone to experiencing depression and suicidal thoughts compared to their peers without cognitive difficulties. Recommendations include the need for mental health professionals to address these issues among tertiary education students. The study also highlights the alarming rate of student suicides in India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, underscoring the inadequacy of support systems and mental health services. As such, this research aims to examine suicide behaviors and influencing variables among teenagers in Chennai and Coimbatore, employing web mining techniques and statistical analysis to identify key factors and develop machine learning strategies for the protection of India's younger generations.