Authors: Dr. Tinni Parial, Dr. Manikanta Paria, Prof. (Dr.) Muktipada Sinha
Abstract: This paper looks at how depression and disability come together in the lives of students, and tries to understand the heavy and often overlooked burden carried by this group. Students with disabilities face all kinds of barriers such as physical, mental, social, institutional, and even technological. These walls do not just make life harder; they also push them toward depression. And once depression sets in, it starts eating away at their confidence, their grades, their friendships, and their sense of wellbeing. It becomes a loop that is hard to break; one that often ends in dropping out and shutting the door on many future opportunities. The paper argues that we need to step back and look at the whole picture. Quick fixes will not work. What we need is real inclusion; campuses that are truly accessible, people who are genuinely aware, mental health support that is actually available, and strong partnerships between teachers, policymakers, and the community. When we get this right, students with disabilities are not just surviving school; they are finding their footing, growing, and contributing. And when that happens, the whole campus becomes a better place for everyone.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18884808
