Suicidal Ideation, Psychological Distress and Help-Seeking Among University Students in Northeast India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: There is limited evidence of substantial psychological distress among university students, and their experience of substantial psychological distress while facing barriers to timely mental-health support. This study explored psychological distress, suicidal ideation and behaviour, protective factors and help-seeking among university students of North East India. Methods: 117 undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students (M age = 23.2 years, SD = 3.1) at two universities in Northeast India completed an anonymous online questionnaire (SENTIA-U) covering suicidal behaviour, five 0–4 distress indicators, protective factors and help-seeking in May–June 2025. I used descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, and Pearson correlations. Results: Serious suicidal ideation in the previous month was reported by 22.2% (n = 26), a previous suicide attempt by 16.2% (n = 19), and having written a note, message or post about ending one’s life by 12.0% (n = 14). Social disconnection had the highest distress mean (M = 2.41, SD = 1.35), hope for the future the highest protective mean (M = 3.08, SD = 1.02), and access to mental-health support the lowest (M = 1.25, SD = 1.31). Only 41.9% had spoken with someone about their mental health in the previous six months, and 47.9% knew how to access university resources. Distress indicators were positively intercorrelated; hope was negatively correlated with distress. Conclusions: Within this two-institution convenience sample, suicidal risk was substantial and help-seeking and awareness of formal support were limited. Estimates are exploratory and not representative of Indian university students. The findings support proactive, confidential, low-barrier campus mental-health systems and provide a baseline for larger multi-institutional studies.