College Suicide: Rates, Risk Factors, & Prevention

What Causes College Suicide?

College is a time of new beginnings and changes. The transition can leave a student feeling overwhelmed. If they’re already dealing with a mental health issue, these additional stressors can trigger a flare-up. Additionally, overwhelming stress can trigger the emergence of burnout, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and/or sense of social disconnectedness, which can increase the risk of suicidal ideation.^4,5,6

Suicidality rates have been rising among US college students.^7,8 Up to 24% of US college students report having experienced suicidal thoughts.^1,5 Some experience passive suicidal thoughts, which don’t involve the intention of acting on these thoughts, but can still be quite frightening.

Others will experience active suicidal thoughts, which typically involve a plan, access to the means to carry out the plan, and a level of intention to act on that plan. Generally, males have a higher risk of suicide than females.³

What Are Risk Factors For Suicide On College Campuses?

There are a number of social, emotional, situational, physical, and personal risk factors for college student suicide. Having a number of these factors does not mean a person will be suicidal. Rather, among students who have reported being suicidal, these are factors that stand out as being significant.

Risk factors for suicide on college campuses are:^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11}

• Stress (e.g., financial, relationship, academic performance)
• Traumatic experiences (e.g., sexual assault, physical assault, car accident, etc.)
• Language and cultural barriers
• Discrimination
• Being Black, Asian, or multi-racial
• High expectations from parents
• Identification as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender
• Having a disability
• Severe depression symptoms
• Untreated mental illness
• Loneliness/lack of social connections and support
• Difficulty managing intense emotions
• Sleep disorders
• Having previously tried to end one’s life by suicide
• Hopelessness/lack of meaning in life
• Feeling of being a burden on others

13 Warning Signs of College Suicide

It’s important to be aware of potential signs of suicide in college kids so early intervention can occur. Students who are actively considering suicide are likely to engage in one or more of these behaviors, including skipping classes, withdrawing from friends and family, and exhibiting signs of depression. Intervening when you see these signs can sometimes save a person’s life.

Here are thirteen potential warning signs of suicide among college students:^6,12,13

1. Skipping classes and failing grades
2. Talking or writing about suicide, or making statements about wanting to die or killing themselves (e.g., “I don’t want to do this anymore/be here anymore,” “I should just kill myself.”)
3. Withdrawing from friends and family
4. Increased use of alcohol and/or substances
5. Signs of depression
6. Self-harm
7. Talking about feelings of hopelessness and not having a reason to live
8. Engaging in reckless behavior that could end in death (e.g., reckless driving, getting into fights, overuse of alcohol/substances)
9. Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness
10. Uncontrollable rage
11. Giving away prized possessions
12. Arranging for someone to care for their pets (e.g., “If something should happen…”)
13. Obtaining the means to end their life (e.g., firearms, pills, etc.)

What Should I Do If Someone I Know Is Suicidal?

If you believe that someone you know is suicidal, be direct with them. Ask questions, listen, and if necessary, call 9-1-1 or accompany them to health services/counseling. It can be natural to want to protect yourself from the terrifying reality of suicide by denying or minimizing the presence of warning signs; however, it is important for you to draw on the courage to act.

Here are helpful things to do if someone you know is suicidal:

1. Be direct. Ask the person straight out if they are thinking about suicide

Start by stating your concerns and the signs you’ve observed. Ask them if they’re thinking of suicide. It might sound something like this: “I’ve noticed that you seem depressed the past few weeks, and that you’ve been making comments about dying. I’m worried about you. Have you been thinking about suicide?” Asking straight out gives the message that you’re willing to hear the answer. It gives the person a chance to honestly talk about what they’ve been thinking and feeling.

2. Ask if they have a plan to end their life and the means to act on that plan

If a person says they’ve been thinking about suicide, try to find out how far along they are in planning. A suicidal person who has a plan (e.g., overdosing, jumping from a height, using a gun) and the means necessary to act on that plan (e.g., has access to medication/drugs, lives on the 10th floor of a building, recently purchased a firearm), is at higher risk.

3. Listen without minimizing, denying, or avoiding what the suicidal person is saying

This can be hard to do if a loved one has told you they’re suicidal. You might feel overcome with fear for them. However, in order for them to know that you’re willing to hear and support them through this, it is important not to minimize, deny, or deflect what they’re saying. Instead of saying, “It’s not that bad,” “Look at all the good things in your life,” or changing the subject (which can send the message that you don’t really want to know the truth), try something like, “It sounds like you’ve been having a really hard time,” or “I’m sorry you’re going through this.”

4. Offer to “hold the hope” that they will get through this dark time

When a person feels suicidal, it can be nearly impossible for them to remember a better time or imagine a better future. Let them know that you can see that they are feeling hopeless, and offer to hold onto the hope for them. Let them know that you believe they will get through this.

5. Do NOT keep this information confidential

If a friend tells you they’re suicidal and asks you not to tell anyone, it is important to know that this is not a fair request. Even therapists and medical professionals who are bound by confidentiality must disclose this information about an individual who is at high risk for suicide. The weight of such a secret is too much for one person to carry. Talk to someone who has the training to know how to deal with these situations.

6. Inform residence staff

If you’re concerned about a college student who lives on campus, inform one of the dorm or residence managers. They have been trained in how to provide support and professional referrals to students experiencing this kind of distress.

7. Offer to accompany the student to the campus counseling or health services

Young adults may be afraid to talk to a counselor or doctor about their suicidal thoughts. Offering to accompany them to make an appointment might be the support they need to talk to a professional. If the student isn’t willing to go and you’re really worried, call the campus counseling center and ask them to reach out. While the counselors can’t provide any information about a particular student due to privacy and confidentiality requirements, they can receive information and contact the student to offer them a counseling appointment.

8. If you happen to find a student who is about to, or in the process of, trying to end their life, call 9-1-1 immediately

If you walk in on a suicide attempt in progress, do not try to reason with the person or ask for their permission to call for help. Immediately call 9-1-1. Likewise, if you receive a text or other message in which a depressed friend is saying goodbye or otherwise indicates they’re going to end their life, call emergency services.

Final Thoughts

Having hope and reasons to live are protective factors against suicide among college students.⁴ Thus, building a circle of care and support with friends, family, peers, and professionals is often the most effective way to reduce suicide of college campuses and help students find their way through this dark time.