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Colleges Face Suicide Crisis

More than half of students have considered suicide

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 18, 2008 4:18 AM CDT

(Newser) – More than half the students at 70 US colleges have contemplated suicide, a startling new study has found. Surveys revealed that 55% once thought of taking their own lives, 18% seriously considered it and 8% actually tried, reports USA Today. Broken romances, school-related problems, and emotional and physical pain were most often cited as the reasons.

"Most people don't appreciate how much suicidality students engage in. They don't see the everyday anguish students are going though," said the lead researcher. But it's a "ubiquitous phenomenon," he stressed. "We need to keep rescuing those in need, but we need to be shifting some of our focus to building resilience."

An astounding number of students at US colleges have considered suicide, a new study has found. ((c) gargola87)

Previous studies have found that mental health problems are increasing on college campuses in America. ((c) Paul Keleher)

Prospective students follow their tour guide at the University of Missouri. A new study says more than half college students have contemplated suicide. (AP Photo)

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Colleges Face Suicide Crisis

More than half of students have considered suicide

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Undergrad's Search for Assistant Meets Mockery

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

suicide • colleges and universities • National Research Consortium of Counseling Centers in Higher Education • David Drum • Chris Brownson • students

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Undergrad's Search for Assistant Meets Mockery

Georgetown sophomore seeks to hire fellow student for laundry duty

Colleges Tackle the 'Sexile' Issue

Tighter rules introduced to empower banished roommates

Proposed Tax No Fair, Brown U. Students Say

Providence mayor wants to charge them $300 a year

NYC Prep Student Leaps to Death Into Recess Crowd

Fourth-graders out playing as body plunges to ground

Equation Helps Procrastinators Overcome Their Stall Tactics

You know, when you get around to it

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Site

Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?