Impact of US Job Market Shift on Indian Students Abroad

The challenging job market in the US is severely impacting young Indians studying or working there, with many reporting increased anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Student associations and community groups reveal a surge in mental health issues among Indian students, triggered by overwhelming education loans, limited job opportunities, expensive healthcare, and personal crises back home.

Several students have been brought back to India for urgent psychiatric treatment. One case involved a Hyderabad man whose unemployed brother suffered from severe anxiety and hallucinations, eventually needing to return home for care. Another incident involved a 32-year-old woman who overdosed due to employment pressure and family issues.

Mental health professionals report a growing number of cases. According to Dr. Charan Teja Koganti, up to 45 NRI students seek help each month, often showing symptoms like panic attacks, emotional eating, and hallucinations. The high cost of US healthcare keeps many from seeking timely support, worsening their condition. Online counseling has become a more accessible alternative for some.

A consultancy expert noted a case where a student’s hospital bill reached $16,000, adding to her financial and emotional stress. Many students suffer silently, not wanting to burden families already repaying large loans, while roommates may miss warning signs due to their own busy lives.

Support is now coming from Telugu associations and volunteer groups in the US, offering mental health advice and helplines. Despite there being over 350,000 Indian students in the US, very few seek help due to isolation and stigma. Layoffs and hiring freezes further add to their struggles, and students fear being labeled as failures upon returning to India, especially unable to repay loans that can reach ₹70 lakh.

mental health, Indian students, US job market, anxiety, education loans