By Bianca Shmulevich
An estimated 1,100 college students in the United States will commit suicide during 2004, and thousands more will attempt to end their lives, the National Institute of Mental Health said.
Earlier this month, the International Association for Suicide Prevention proclaimed World Suicide Prevention Day, in order to educate people on the tragedy of suicide and ways to prevent it. Now more than ever, with the number of college suicides on the rise, students need to gain the knowledge and understanding everyone is searching with this complicated part of the mental psyche.
Recent statistics show that mental problems among young adults are on the increase. According to the Center for Disease Control, suicide rates have tripled between 1952 and 1995. Today suicide ranks as the second leading cause of death among college students. These studies reiterate the recent suicides at New York University, where eight students have taken their own lives within the past year.
“Suicides are common among this time, since psychological disorders usually emerge at this age and coincide with going to college,” Merry E. McVey-Noble, a clinical psychologist, said. “The pressures are high; from being on your own, being separated from your family and friends and the academic pressures can all be taut if the student is not prepared.”
College students are dealing with many different issues. A recent national college health survey revealed that 10 percent of college students have been diagnosed with depression and seven percent suffering from anxiety disorders. The CDC reveals that 7.8 percent of males and 2.3 percent of women ages 18-24 report frequent mental distress. Eating disorders also have their highest incidence occurring in college-aged women.
“Mental stress is always a common cause in suicide, although the students are not always necessarily depressed,” McVey-Noble, who has been counseling for six years, said. “Often drugs and alcohol can play a part in suicides, as well as traumatic events, or a break up of a significant relationship. These events result in an abnormal level of judgment, which can lead to drastic, impulsive, and reckless behavior.”
Ralph Rickgarn, author of Perspectives on College Suicide, an educational specialist with a degree in suicidology, mentions “psych ache” in his book. It’s a term used to describe the psychological pain of the mind. Suicide is often a result of not being able to eliminate this type of pain; it’s not a yearning to die.
“A close friend of mine attempted it a couple of years back,” Lisa Gimeli, a senior Italian-secondary education major, said. “We were all very surprised. She seemed happy usually, but looking back on it, there were still some signs. She was overwhelmed. She would joke about it. ‘Would you go to my funeral? Would you cry if I died?’ It was a cry for help, I wish I would have noticed those signs sooner, but thankfully she’s all right.”
Studies show, that most people reveal important signals before attempting suicide. “Always take any talk about suicide seriously, even if it’s in a joking matter,” McVey-Noble said. “There are always signs. Look for destructive behavior, drinking, drugs, self mutilation, even driving recklessly; giving important possessions away, and a general disregard and carelessness for anything once important, such as grades, friendships, health. All these behaviors show that a person is trying to escape a problem, and that something deeper is going on.”
Statements or even joking about suicide is a way to see how others are going to respond, it’s a cry for help, Rickgarn said. It’s important to acknowledge these statements, take them seriously, and suggest counseling or calling a crisis center. If they refuse these options, then get immediate help for them.
Many students from time to time have experienced suicidal thoughts. If feeling depressed, or anxious, and thinking about their own death, it is important they seek counseling immediately.
“It is a sign of being overwhelmed, of not being able to cope with life at the moment,” McVey-Noble said. “It is important that they immediately talk to someone they trust. Everyone’s problems weigh more when they keep it to themselves, talking about things can lighten a heavy load.”
The office of Student Counseling Services can be reached at extension 3-6791 or 3-6793.