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A 'national crisis' of student suicide: Colleges are straining to help young people who are struggling with depression and mental health issues.
Star Tribune, Minneapolis via Yellowbrix
November 23, 2009
Nov. 23—The rate of suicide and depression on college campuses is rising, and last month the trend hit St. Cloud State University.
Hard.
Two students killed themselves, causing the university’s president to send a mass e-mail encouraging students to relax and, if needed, get help. The deaths heightened concerns about the economy’s pressure on anxious students and the colleges that are trying to help them.
“We are not talking about test anxiety here,” President Earl Potter later said. “We are talking about a stew of challenges, on top of which our students have to deal with academic success and often the challenge of finding money to keep themselves in school.”
Potter called mental health problems among college students “a national crisis.”
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. About 1.1 percent of 8,000 Minnesota post-secondary students surveyed by the University of Minnesota’s Boynton Health Service in 2008 had attempted suicide within the past 12 months, up slightly from the year before.
At colleges around the nation, more students are seeking help. The percentage of students who reported a diagnosis of depression rose from 10.3 percent in 2000 to 14.9 percent in spring of 2008 — the most recent comparable data — according to the American College Health Association’s annual National College Health Assessment.
This is the busiest time of year, several counseling centers said, because class work ramps up and finals loom.
Colleges are responding with a mix of counseling and support services. The efforts go beyond suicide prevention, addressing stress and depression. Studies show that good mental health leads to good grades and graduation, so schools say that keeping students healthy is an important part of their mission.
But as a recent Minnesota State Colleges and University report found, counseling costs money, and there’s no clear source of it.
“Institutions like ours were never funded to provide the services we need to provide today,” Potter said.
Patricia_Kucinski
23 days ago
I tried everything I can think of to stay in school, but nothing. I can't return this spring and school has always been my life. I have a 3.9 GPA too. I'm devastated. I try not to think about suicide, but I can understand where troubled students are coming from. Having to worry about finances and being homeless on top of normal college stressors, is almost unbearable.
JordanM681
2 months ago
I attend the University of Southern Mississippi and my best friend was one of the latest suicide victims. He was the third this semester and it was just called to my attention there has now been a fourth. This article definitely hit me hard.
traceyann24
2 months ago
This does not surprise me at all. With an increase in information we are expected to know for every course and even less time to complete assignments and projects this tragic situation is only going to get worse. Something has to be done about the way colleges choose to educate college students.
NullN487501
2 months ago
I am surprised by the statistics of this article! So sad, I am a college student and know how close this hits home, I lost a friend and fellow classmate, that quarter and the past year has been tough. I guess she would have talked to someone. Just horrible loss of lives, I wish everyone a Happy and Safe Holiday Season, God Bless!!
LauraM1627
2 months ago
I accidentally tagged it as inappropriate. I'm sorry! I didn't mean to. It's definitely not inappropriate! It's important!
StefaniA3
2 months ago
wow I wasn't aware of this, and I am a college student as well. Honestly, I am stress too, but what gets me through is GOD! Also church and the loving people GOD has surrounded me with, they motivate me to not give up. So please if you're a college student and are thinking about suicide because of stress form school and anxiety from the country's economy, DON'T DO IT, its not the answer. Its what GOD did for us, he give his beloved son Jesus Christ whom give his life for love. Maybe you have heard this before or don't believe it, but its the truth. Please link to this web site if you seek help and salvation: www.intouch.org or www.restauracionreseda.com.
KatherieAnneS
2 months ago
It's not just the college pressures that induce a young adult to take their own lives, but the lifestyle that goes with that. I am a senior in college and have had a friend of a friend kill himself about 2 months ago, as well as another attempt it. I think people are right, usually it's not just grades or debt but other factors as well. I think it's important to support young people when they say they need help. I have talked with many people about suicide and I think there is a huge stigma attached to it. If someone comes to you saying they are thinking about killing themselves, take them seriously and give all the love and support you can
angiebelle
2 months ago
Just found out a friend of mine hung herself on Thursday. This article hits home.
SylviaM67
2 months ago
Am in college myself & no matter where one is we always fear failure.This is a disturbing article:some people are fighting to live while others want to throw in the towel.We as young adults deal with alot & talking to some one who understands helps alot.Additionally measures to cope with stress should be put in place because stress is part of life.
hamster49er
2 months ago
If one is worrying about the crisis they should find a Job to pay for their tuition or drop out of school. Instead of adding all that worry on yourself and maybe committing suicide
OmarD58
2 months ago
I think if this was a problem on Wall Street the authorities would have stepped in and made some immediate efforts to help the situation but now with all the challenges of funding, course loads, etc more people are entering the school system and sometimes the facilities are inadequate. No bailout over here though! We say the youth are the future, well, this makes it look extremely overcast.
NormaM104
2 months ago
I wish I could have a magic word ... I am a mother of 2 daughters, 16 and 19 and I am in College myself, so does my 19 y/o. I always love school, it was the best time of my life. For my disapointment my older daughter gave up her last year high school and took 1 year off - vacation? At first I could not understand but now I do.
Sometimes you just have to let it go for a while, whatever it is - depression - sadness - disapointment with friends - someone you love doe not care about you - fight with parents - parents who does not care - loneless - juist let it go - just for a while...
I wish a bright light would clear your mind every morning, that you could see clear and stay focus at each task for one day, just for one day.
I wish I could have a magic word, that would not stop you to accomplhish that task, I wish that power of love burn in your heart in every breath you take, I wish you keep your mind clear and throw away all confusing thoughts you may have, keep that task in front of your mind and do not let anything or anyone move away from you. Be strong, be yourself, create some confidence, you can do it, don't let your tears covers the bright sun lights, forget the mistakes from yesterday, you can't fix the past, focus on the present and embrace the future with all your heart and strenght.
I will be praying for all of you.
RobertoR64
2 months ago
Piseil, i was raised the same way, nothing was ever given to me, i always had to work for everything, and even now. Im going to school and paying for it all by myself, i admit i get stressed out. Im working three jobs to get through college and also taking a 16 credit workload, and honestly... i havent thought about committing suicide. So... hey maybe you have a good point but also, maybe some people just cant deal with the stress and need the extra help. I wouldn't blame the parents, their lack of confidence? I think that could be a contributing factor.
PiseiL
2 months ago
I will sound completely heartless when I say this, but it is the fault of their social group, parents, and their own lack of confidence. It is completely asinine that anyone would commit suicide because of stress related to grades and paying off debt. That is just an excuse for some bigger underling issue that the student didn't want to talk about. If a parent pushes a kid to that kind of extent, then the kids just need to drop out of school, leave home, and talk to their parents when they are a bit more reasonable. I'm from the opposite side of the tracks; my parents didn't push me to do anything and for the longest time I despised them for that. Now, I thank them because they built me to depend on me and I am just fine. I can work anywhere in the world practically and will be buying my second house all under the age of 40 and all without a college degree. I think people just need to shut up and stop crying about the bottle being taken away from them.
IngridR48
2 months ago
I'm a student at UCLA and I can completely relate to the high stress every student encounters in college. I just hope these students find a healthy outlet to vent and express themselves so they don't end up feeling so overwhelmed. Blogging is really beneficial! I hope these students seek help in some way or another and realize that suicide is not the answer; there is so much to live for.