Kerala Health Minister Veena George has directed the state health university to conduct a thorough investigation into the death of Ammu A Sajeev, a fourth-year nursing student at Pathanamthitta SME College of Nursing. The 21-year-old tragically died on Friday, November 15, allegedly by suicide. A suicide note was also reportedly recovered. The incident has sparked allegations of harassment and foul play.
The Pathanamthitta police have already recorded statements from college staff and students as part of the investigation. Meanwhile, Ammu's family has alleged that she faced sustained mental and physical harassment from some of her classmates, which they believe led to her death. Her father, Sajeev, had previously lodged a complaint with the college principal about the same.
On the day of the incident, Ammu reportedly called her parents and younger brother at around 4 pm, and the family found nothing unusual in her behavior during the conversation. While she used to call her parents at night and did not do so, her parents contacted the hostel warden who reportedly informed them that Ammu fell in the hostel and sustained a fracture. They were also told that she was being taken to the Thiruvananthapuram medical college.
The family has dismissed that it might be a suicide and demanded a detailed investigation to uncover the truth behind Ammu’s death. She was initially taken to General Hospital, Pathanamthitta, and later referred to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. However, she succumbed on the way to the medical college.
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Andhra Pradesh
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Tamil Nadu
State health department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Telangana
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm
Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.