Suicide And Suicide In College Students

On October 5, 2016, Fowlerville High School freshman, Brendan Kangas, committed suicide. His whole school and community was struck with grief, previously unaware of Brendan’s battle with depression. The next day school was held on schedule, and it was a very unproductive day. According to the faculty, kids were crying in classrooms, and uninstructed teachers did not know how to handle the situation (Brent). Many Fowlerville students have struggled academically, unable to cope with the news of Brendan’s death. Fowlerville was not prepared to handle such a crisis and administrators were unaware of the effect Brendan’s suicide would have on the school. Since then, several other students in Brendan’s community have attempted to take their lives as well (Brent). Suicide has not only a problem in

Deadlines, Midterms, finals, papers, all while trying to have a social life can become overwhelming. According college degree search, there are 1,100 suicides at colleges per year. That’s 7.5 per 100,000 students. It has been proven by research being a college today student is much harder than in the 1950’s. College students encounter a great deal of problems, such as depression, time management, and having personal relationships.

Discovering one’s identity, struggling to understand one’s conventionally appropriate gender role, accepting one’s body image, gaining independence from parents, maintaining responsible sexual relationships along with enduring vehement hormones, establishing values relating to marriage and parenthood, and simultaneously managing academic goals, extracurricular activities, and occupational preparations are all psychological and social demands placed on the adolescent. These demands, along with additional factors, such as bullying, drug use/domestic substance abuse, domestic violence, divorce of parents, rape/sexual assault, loss of a loved one, heartbreak, low socioeconomic status, health problems, race, ethnicity, struggles with self-identification, and other traumatic experiences can all increase one’s likelihood to commit suicide.

The current suicide rate among 15- to 24-year olds is quite disturbing. Growing in numbers since 2007, the latest toll taken in 2013 on suicide within college settings is 11.1 deaths per 100,000 people (Scelfo, 2015). According to the article Suicide on Campus and the Pressure of Perfection, Pennsylvania State University had six students commit suicide in a 13-month stretch (Scelfo, 2015). Suicide within college settings are usually linked with severe depression. As mentioned by Kevin Breel in the Confessions of a Depressed Comic Ted Talk, depression is not sadness, real depression is being sad when everything in your life is going right and this, this I can personally relate to.

Impulsive decision making often results in unintended or undesired consequences. An impulsive or spur of the moment decision is made without planning or thought as to what may happen in the future. While not all decisions made in the moment are regrettable or ill advised, ultimately the person making the decision must deal with the consequences, which may have long-term ramifications; therefore, considering all possibilities before making important choices is highly advisable to reduce the chance of negatively impacting his/her future. There are numerous examples of impulsive decision-making in literary works. Romeo is an impulsive character.

College life is an exciting time for young adults coming out of high school. The students find themselves with so many new experiences to face; many of these changes, from new found freedom to the unexpected responsibilities, are frequently underestimated by the newly promoted freshman.

An escalating problem throughout many educational institutions, primarily high schools and colleges is suicide. The strain of competing for the best grades possible in order to acquire a brighter future becomes so unbearable that many students choose to opt out of their lives in order to relieve themselves of the pressure. Grades may not be the only reason why a student may choose to commit suicide, several reasons include: relationship problems, drug abuse or financial issues. It is essential to know how to prevent student/teen suicide in order to let students and teens realize that there is more to life than grades and temporary setbacks. There are several ways to manage this issue; primarily

In the aftermath of a student suicide, I co-founded a National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) chapter on campus. We soon encountered obstacles with both the Student Activities Board and Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CPS). We needed the Board’s approval to be recognized as a club. They initially denied our club application citing lack of student interest, but forbid us from holding interest meetings while we are not recognized. They only chartered our club after we submitted an online student petition with hundreds of signatures. The Board also initially denied NAMI funding to train and certify students as facilitators. They believed that peer facilitators were unnecessary as students on campus already have the Counseling and Psychiatric

Day to day, teens suffer from peer pressure, problem from home, and stress from academics. Despise their status in the environment, majority of high school students refrain from acknowledging the presence of their reality. The problem in most situations in that students feel shut in, trapped in a never ending misery. How do they cope? What are their ways of dealing? Most students live in denial. Others have friends to confide in. For the devastating part, most students are not as open to these ideas and it leaves them with this alternative: suicide. Suicide is the third leading cause in teens the ages 14 to 19 within rural underserved areas. Suicidal ideation (SI), suicidal thoughts, were surveyed in over 12 high schools and it was found that in the past year, thoughts of (SI) were not shared with peers or even adults in the pursuit of receiving help or support (Pisani, 2012). Because a student spends most of their day at school, it is ideal for schools to provide realistic opportunities and school-based programs to assist with the suicide among the youth. The Surviving the Teens Suicide Prevention and Depression Awareness Program designed four 50 minute session or each high school student. This presented information in regards to factual information about depression, suicidal warning signs, suicidal risk factors and myths associated with suicide (King, 2010). The program provide coping strategies for everyday life, referral sources if feeling suicidal, and how to recognize

Schools across the nation need to take a more proactive step to prevent teen suicide by giving their students and staff more of an education. For example the Ontario Shores Mental Health Science wants schools to be more aware also; “Last week the Durham school boards announced a new curriculum to teach teachers about mental illness in youth, funded by the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences in Whitby.” ( Scallan and Chantaie). A town in Ontario brought this issue of teen suicide up to the school board. The school board took a look at it and made a new course for the teacher so they can be more educated on this specific topic. In Ontario, where the school decided to add a new curriculum for teachers. The course is funded by the Ontario shore centre for mental health science. This specific town is one of the many that are starting to talk about teen suicide and making it a topic of discussion. With teacher having even more knowledge they already do, they will be able to give the right information and know what to look out for. In addition, there are many factors that could make a student more at risk of having any suicidal actions. The Centers for disease Control and Prevention stated a list of many elements to look for , “Risk factors: History of previous suicide attempts, Family history of suicide, History of depression or other mental illness, Alcohol or drug abuse, Stressful life event or loss, Easy access to lethal methods, Exposure to the suicidal behavior

Although the college atmosphere is a new feel for all incoming freshmen, the habits and behavior students learn from high school tend to stick with them when they enter classes at universities. The effect of going to a same sex high school can show differently in all students at the start of college. The same goes for co-ed graduating

Suicide is a major topic of concern because it involves a serious public health problem. In 2014, suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 24 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2014). It is important to address this topic to create awareness for parents, schools, and professionals who work with youth. Spreading awareness can help individuals identify risk factors to prevent suicidal behavior. Several factors are thought to be correlated with suicidal behavior in high school students. In the present paper, risk factors were examined to see how they played a role in suicidality among high school students. Risk factors such as substance use, aggression, victimization, and risky sexual behavior are thought to increase suicide ideation and suicide attempts among high school students. Other aspects such as ethnicity may also play a role in suicidal behavior. Key terms in this paper include: substance use, risky sexual behavior, suicide ideation, suicide planning and suicide attempt.

For some teens, striving for perfection has led to harming their own health and wellbeing such as living with depression and suicide. Teenagers today are relying on what they see in ads, T.V., magazines and on the internet for their input on appearances, the way they think not only comes from media sources, but from family and friends.

Campus mental health statistics paint an alarming picture of the incidence of suicide rates on college campuses and by some measures they are getting worse. Almost one in three students have admitted to considering suicide. Mental health needs on campus are real and serious, they are also growing, which is

In the Western hemisphere/United States culture, high school and college are considered the golden years of a young person’s life. Typically, a student’s senior year of high school and their freshman and junior year of college are the most life changing years that they will experience. This transition can be exciting and fun, but at the same time it is very challenging. College and high school are two totally different experiences; they have many similarities but have many differences at the same time. While High school stresses discipline and homogeneity, college makes us more self-reliant and ultimately more accountable and responsible.