RGUHS to install anti-suicide fan devices in medical hostels

After two student suicides in one medical college hostel, RGUHS is planning to install anti-suicide devices in ceiling fans across affiliated colleges. The devices disconnect under pressure and trigger alarms, enabling timely intervention and psychological support for distressed students

Bengaluru: In response to the growing number of student suicides in college hostels, the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) has decided to explore the installation of anti-suicide devices in ceiling fans across all medical colleges under its jurisdiction.

This decision follows the shocking deaths of two students from the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS) who died by suicide in their hostel rooms within a span of just two weeks. The university’s Curriculum Development Cell, headed by Dr Sanjeev, visited MIMS in the last week of July to assess the situation and consult with authorities about possible preventive measures.

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During this visit, Dr Sanjeev revealed that one of the prominent suggestions discussed was the installation of safety mechanisms in ceiling fans commonly used for hanging, to reduce the risk of suicide in hostels.

How the anti-suicide device works

According to sources, the proposed anti-suicide mechanism activates when weight beyond a certain limit is applied to the ceiling fan. The system is designed to instantly disconnect the fan from its hook, rendering any suicide attempt unsuccessful.

In addition to the mechanical disconnection, the device also includes a built-in siren. The moment the fan detaches, the siren goes off, alerting hostel authorities and staff. This immediate alert can enable swift intervention, offering the possibility to not only save a life but also provide timely psychological support to distressed students.

Initial pilot tests of the anti-suicide device have reportedly been conducted at MIMS. The move gains further urgency in light of recent incidents. On July 30, Bharat, a medical student from Koppal district, was found dead in his hostel room. Just days later, on August 2, a final-year BSc nursing student named Nishkala also died by suicide in the same institution.

A worrying pattern

These incidents have once again exposed a deeply disturbing pattern in Karnataka’s medical colleges, where academic stress, isolation, and mental health issues often go unaddressed until it is too late. In this context, the RGUHS decision, while technical in nature, signals a much-needed administrative acknowledgment of the crisis.

But serious questions remain about the institutional response to mental health in educational spaces. Why did it take multiple deaths for such a basic safety measure to be considered? How many lives must be lost before universities, hostels, and the state government institutionalise mental health services and support networks?

While the introduction of anti-suicide devices is a welcome technical intervention, it cannot replace the need for trained counsellors, regular mental health screening, peer support systems, and a change in the highly competitive and often dehumanising culture of medical education.