In a heartbreaking incident, Jacob Thomas, a 23-year-old IT professional from Kerala, reportedly died by suicide due to extreme work-related stress.
The tragedy unfolded in Kottayam, where Jacob, employed at an IT firm in Kakkanad, Ernakulam, took his own life by jumping from his apartment.
This incident has sparked discussions about the mental health challenges faced by professionals in high-pressure industries like IT.
Kerala IT Professional Death: The Incident
Jacob Thomas, a native of Punnavely in Mallappally, Pathanamthitta, was living with his parents in an apartment in Kanjikuzhi, Kottayam.
On the morning of April 6, 2025, Jacob was found dead after jumping from the eighth floor of his apartment building.
Before taking this extreme step, he reportedly sent a distressing video message to his mother, expressing his inability to cope with the overwhelming workload.
In the video, Jacob mentioned that he could no longer bear the pressure, highlighting the severe impact of work-related stress on his mental health.
Work Pressure and Mental Health
Jacob’s family revealed that he had been struggling with intense work-related stress, which had severely affected his sleep and overall well-being.
Jacob worked as a computer engineer at an IT firm in Kakkanad that specializes in cloud-based learning management systems.
He had joined the company just a few months prior to the incident.
His family has filed a police complaint, urging an investigation into the circumstances that led to his death.
The Kottayam East Police have registered a case and are examining Jacob’s phone to verify the video message.
No suicide note was discovered in this case. However, the video remains an essential piece of evidence in uncovering the factors that led to this tragedy.
Broader Implications of Kerala IT Professional’s Death and Reactions
This incident highlights the increasing mental health challenges faced by professionals in the IT sector.
Long hours, tight deadlines, and high expectations are common factors contributing to these issues.
The demand to perform and meet targets can heavily impact mental health. This often results in burnout and, in severe instances, leads to tragic outcomes like Jacob’s.
Mental health experts emphasize the importance of creating a supportive work environment that prioritizes employee well-being.
Organizations are being encouraged to adopt measures to support mental health, such as counseling and stress management programs.
They are also being urged to introduce flexible work policies to help address these challenges.
Jacob’s untimely death has left his family, friends, and community in shock.
His father works at a cement manufacturing company. Both he and Jacob’s elder sister are struggling to cope with the loss of a young life filled with potential.
The funeral was held at St. James CSI Church, Punnavely, where family and friends gathered to pay their respects.
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