Ghaziabad suicide deaths: Korea craze and the mind games teens battle

The suspected death by suicide of three minor sisters—16, 14 and 12 years old—in Delhi’s vicinity Ghaziabad in the pre-dawn hours of February 4 has yet again underlined the challenge of unaddressed mental ill-health among children and young Indians, and the deadly spectre of digital addiction.

The sisters died after apparently jumping off their ninth-floor apartment in Bharat City, Ghaziabad. Initial police investigation suggests a suicide note and diary were found. The diary notes indicate the girls were obsessed with Korean culture—sometimes even identifying themselves by Korean names—and distressed at being cut off from it by their family.

Early official accounts also suggest the girls were addicted to a Korean task-based online game or love game, and that denial of access to mobile phones and the game may have triggered the fatal step. Investigators have said multiple other factors, such as emotional distress, online obsession and the family’s economic hardship, were also being looked into.

The tragedy has intensified the debate over mental health problems afflicting young Indians. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data states that suicide deaths by students have risen sharply over the past decade, from 8,423 cases in 2013 to nearly 13,900 in 2023—a 65 per cent jump. In fact, young people in the 15-24 age group account for roughly a third of all suicide deaths in the country, placing adolescents and college-age youth among the most-vulnerable groups.

Yet, as mental health experts say, many struggling teenagers never ask for help. Part of the difficulty lies in how emotional distress appears at that age. Feelings are intense but often confusing, and many youngsters are unsure how to describe what they are going through.

Academic pressure, friendship conflicts, online life and worries about the future often become a mental cocktail too difficult to handle. Some cope by hiding their struggles rather than speaking about them. And when adults dismiss their resulting mood changes as usual teenage behaviour, the consequences can be fatal.

There is also a strong fear of being misunderstood. Teenagers worry that admitting emotional pain would invite criticism, restrictions or lectures instead of support. Many try to manage problems alone so that they do not ‘disappoint’ their families. By the time distress becomes visible, it may already be too late.

Digital environments can deepen this isolation. Dr Murali Krishna, visiting consultant in psychiatry and counselling services at the Aster RV Hospital in Bengaluru, explains that online games are designed to be engaging and rewarding, but excessive gaming can affect emotional health and development. Children who spend long hours gaming often become irritable or withdrawn when access is restricted, while constant stimulation makes everyday activities feel less satisfying.

Gaming spaces themselves can generate peer pressure. Competition and progression targets may create anxiety or feelings of failure, which slowly affect confidence offline as well. Online interactions may begin to replace real-world friendships, reducing chances to build communication skills and increasing loneliness, warn mental health professionals.

Sleep disruption compounds the problem. Late-night gaming and prolonged screen use disturb natural sleep cycles, leaving teenagers tired and emotionally fragile the next day. Fatigue lowers resilience and worsens mood swings.

Importantly, excessive gaming is sometimes only a symptom. As Dr Krishna notes, children dealing with academic stress, bullying or family conflict may turn to games as escape. Limiting screen-time without addressing underlying stress rarely resolves distress.

Prevention begins with conversation. Parents and teachers must notice mood changes, withdrawal, sleep disruption or sudden loss of interest in daily life. Early observation and listening are the most-effective ways to prevent tragedies like the one Ghaziabad woke up to.

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