Understanding the Shadows - Why Trauma Leads to Suicidal Thoughts and How We Can Help?

Dear friends,

The loss of Nikhil Somwanshi, a 25-year-old IISc graduate who allegedly took his own life amid a toxic work environment at Ola’s Krutrim, has left us grappling with questions. Why would someone so young, so brilliant, feel that life wasn’t worth living? What drives someone to such a dark place? To honor Nikhil and countless others, let’s talk about the causes of trauma, the factors behind suicidal thoughts, and how we can shine a light in the shadows.

Nikhil’s story, while heartbreaking, is not an isolated tragedy—it’s a symbol of a much larger crisis. There are umpteen numbers in the corporate world facing similar battles, their struggles hidden behind closed office doors. From tech startups to multinational corporations, countless young professionals endure toxic work environments, battling stress, isolation, and despair in silence. Nikhil represents the untold stories of those who feel crushed under the weight of modern work culture, reminding us that this is a systemic issue we can no longer ignore.

The Roots of Trauma

Trauma isn’t always a single event—it’s often a storm of experiences that chip away at your spirit. For Nikhil, reports suggest a workplace filled with verbal abuse, 14-hour workdays, and crushing expectations after colleagues left. But trauma can come from many places

• Workplace Toxicity: Relentless pressure, bullying, or feeling undervalued can make you feel trapped. When your job becomes a battleground, it erodes your sense of self.

• Social Isolation: Moving to a new city, like Bengaluru, can leave young people far from family and friends. Without a support network, small struggles feel insurmountable.

• High Expectations: In India, where success is often tied to academic or career achievements, the fear of failure can be paralyzing, especially for graduates from elite institutions like IISc.

• Personal Struggles: Unseen battles—grief, financial stress, or relationship issues—can pile on, making life feel like a maze with no exit.

Trauma doesn’t discriminate. It can strike the strongest among us, leaving scars that aren’t always visible.

Why Do Suicidal Thoughts Arise?

Suicidal thoughts aren’t a sign of weakness—they’re a signal of overwhelming pain. They often emerge when someone feels hopeless, worthless, or trapped.

• Emotional Overload: Chronic stress, like Nikhil’s alleged workplace abuse, floods the brain with cortisol, clouding judgment and amplifying despair. You start to believe the pain will never end.

• Loss of Identity: When your worth is tied to your job or achievements, setbacks can feel like you’re losing yourself. For Nikhil, being overburdened in a high-stakes role may have made him question his brilliance.

• Isolation: Feeling alone, even in a crowd, can make problems seem bigger. If Nikhil felt he couldn’t share his struggles, that silence could have deepened his despair.

• Untreated Mental Health Issues: Depression, anxiety, or burnout often go undiagnosed in India due to stigma. Without help, these conditions can spiral, making suicide seem like the only escape.

  
  

Factors Influencing Suicidal Thoughts

No one wakes up and decides to end their life. It’s a culmination of factors that push someone to the edge:

1. Cultural Pressures: In India, the emphasis on “success” can make failure feel like shame. Young people like Nikhil face immense pressure to prove themselves, with little room for mistakes.

2. Workplace Culture: Toxic environments that normalize overwork, like the one alleged at Krutrim, can break even the most resilient. Being berated or overworked sends a message: you’re not enough.

3. Lack of Mental Health Support: India has only 0.75 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, far below global standards. Access to counseling is limited, and stigma stops many from seeking help.

4. Social Media and Comparison: Constant exposure to “perfect” lives online can make your struggles feel insignificant, deepening feelings of inadequacy.

5. Triggers: A single event—a harsh word, a public failure—can act as a tipping point when someone’s already on the brink.

   
   

Why Does Someone Take That Step?

The decision to end one’s life isn’t about not valuing life—it’s about feeling the pain outweighs the hope. Psychologists call it “cognitive constriction,” where someone can’t see alternatives. They might think, “Everyone will be better off without me,” or “I can’t keep going.” For Nikhil, the alleged abuse and pressure may have made him feel like there was no way out. It’s not a choice made lightly—it’s a desperate act to escape unbearable suffering.

A Message of Hope

If you’re reading this and feel like you’re in that dark place, please hear me - you are enough. Your pain is real, but it’s not permanent. Life has moments of joy waiting for you—a kind stranger, a new sunrise, a dream you haven’t chased yet. You don’t have to face this alone. Reach out to a friend, a family member, or a helpline like KIRAN (1800-599-0019). One conversation can change everything.

How We Can Break the Cycle?

We can’t bring Nikhil back, but we can fight for a world where no one feels this alone

• Demand Better Workplaces: Companies must prioritize mental health, ban toxic behavior, and respect boundaries. No job is worth your life.

• Normalize Mental Health Care: Let’s make therapy as acceptable as visiting a doctor. Schools and colleges should teach emotional resilience alongside academics.

• Build Community: Check on your friends, colleagues, classmates. A simple “Are you okay?” can save a life.

• Challenge Cultural Norms: Success isn’t just a degree or a paycheck—it’s living authentically, with joy and connection.

  
  

You Are Never Alone

To anyone struggling - your story matters. Your pain is not your fault, and there’s hope beyond it. Nikhil’s loss reminds us how fragile life is, but also how powerful kindness and understanding can be. Let’s hold space for each other, lift each other up, and remind the world that every life is worth saving.