64% Indian Students Handle Stress Alone, Shun Counselors: IC3 Report

A recent report by the IC3 Institute has revealed that a significant majority of Indian school students prefer to deal with stress on their own, rather than seeking help from school counselors or other support systems. The report, which surveyed 8,515 students across India, found that 64% of students prefer to handle stress alone, while only 6% turn to school wellbeing counselors for support.

The report, titled the Student Well-being Pulse Report 2026, was released at the 10th Annual IC3 Conference & Expo held in Mumbai. The findings suggest that there is a growing gap between the pressures students face and the support systems they use. As students move into the senior school years, their overall wellbeing declines steadily. The proportion of students reporting high overall wellbeing falls from 62% in Grade 8 to 43% in Grade 12.

Similar declines are seen across several measures of positive wellbeing, including happiness, confidence, and motivation. Happiness levels drop from 65% in Grade 8 to 48% in Grade 12, while confidence levels fall from 64% to 47% over the same period. Motivation levels also decline, from 64% in Grade 8 to 49% in Grade 12.

At the same time, negative emotions become more prominent with age. Anxiety, low energy, frustration, loneliness, and sadness are all reported most strongly among students in Grades 11 and 12. This pattern suggests that the years when students face increasingly important academic and career decisions are also the years in which many report lower levels of wellbeing.

When students do decide to seek help, they are far more likely to turn to people they already know. According to the report, 49% of students turn to friends for support, while 44% seek help from family members. Teachers are approached by 13% of students, while only 6% seek help from school counselors. Just 2% of students report turning to therapists.

However, the findings also suggest that students are not necessarily opposed to professional support. Fifty-two percent of students said they believe therapy or counseling would be helpful, indicating that the issue may be less about unwillingness and more about whether such support feels accessible and easy to approach.

Ganesh Kohli, Founder of the IC3 Movement, said that the findings highlight the importance of making guidance easier to access. As students move through senior school, wellbeing, confidence, and positive emotions decline, even as academic and career decisions become increasingly consequential. Kohli emphasized that schools, families, counselors, and universities all have a role in creating environments where students can seek guidance early rather than carrying concerns on their own.

The report also highlights concerns around career decisions. Only 52% of students said they receive structured career counseling at school, while 33% said they feel anxious because of unclear career guidance. Access to career counseling differs across states, with some states providing more support than others.

In conclusion, the IC3 report highlights the need for increased support systems for Indian school students. As students navigate the challenges of senior school, they require accessible and easy-to-approach guidance to help them manage stress and make informed career decisions. By providing such support, schools, families, and counselors can help students develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in their academic and professional pursuits.

The findings of the report have significant implications for the education system in India. They suggest that schools and educators need to do more to support students' wellbeing and provide them with the guidance they need to make informed decisions about their future. By prioritizing student wellbeing and providing accessible support systems, educators can help students achieve their full potential and succeed in their academic and professional pursuits.

Overall, the IC3 report provides a valuable insight into the challenges faced by Indian school students. It highlights the need for increased support systems and accessible guidance to help students manage stress and make informed career decisions. By addressing these challenges, educators and policymakers can help create a more supportive and inclusive education system that prioritizes student wellbeing and success.

The report's findings are a call to action for educators, policymakers, and parents to work together to create a more supportive and inclusive education system. By providing accessible guidance and support systems, we can help students develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in their academic and professional pursuits. It is only by working together that we can create a brighter future for India's students and ensure that they have the support they need to thrive in an increasingly complex and competitive world.

In the end, the IC3 report reminds us that student wellbeing is a critical aspect of education. It is not just about academic achievement, but also about providing students with the support and guidance they need to succeed in all aspects of life. By prioritizing student wellbeing, we can help create a more supportive and inclusive education system that prepares students for success in all their pursuits.