64% Students Prefer To Handle Stress Alone, Only 6% Seek School Counselors: IC3 Report
A large majority of Indian school students prefer to deal with stress on their own, even as their overall wellbeing declines steadily through the senior school years, according to the IC3 Institute’s Student Well-being Pulse Report 2026. The report, based on responses from 8,515 students across India, found that 64% of students prefer to handle stress on their own, while only 6% turn to a school…
The IC3 Institute's Student Well-being Pulse Report 2026 reveals that a large majority of Indian school students, 64%, prefer to handle stress on their own, while only 6% seek assistance from school counselors. The report, based on responses from 8,515 students across India, highlights a decline in overall wellbeing as students progress through senior school years.
The proportion of students reporting high overall wellbeing drops from 62% in Grade 8 to 43% in Grade 12. Happiness, confidence, and motivation also decline steadily, while negative emotions become more prominent with age. Students are more likely to turn to friends and family for support, with 49% and 44% respectively, compared to teachers (13%) and school counselors (6%).
Only 2% turn to therapists. Despite acknowledging that therapy could be helpful, only 52% of students believe it would actually be beneficial. The report also highlights concerns around career-related anxiety, with only 52% of students receiving structured career counseling at school. Career-related anxiety is particularly pronounced in Bihar, where 43% of students reported feeling anxious due to unclear career guidance.
The findings emphasize the need for schools, families, counselors, and universities to create accessible environments for students to seek guidance early, rather than carrying concerns alone. The report was released during the 10th Annual IC3 Conference & Expo in Mumbai, under the theme "Looking Deeply - From Information to Insight," where discussions focused on topics ranging from AI and college admissions to student mobility and career pathways.
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