Facts + Figures
DId you know?
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 18-24.
Each year 1,100 college students die by suicide.
1 in 12 college students make a plan for suicide.
90% of people who die by suicide have a diagnosable mental health disorder, most commonly depression and/or substance abuse disorder.
Evidence suggests that 25% of people who die by suicide misuse or are dependent on alcohol/drugs. Furthermore, nearly 50% of people who take their own life have alcohol in their system when they die.
In 2015, large campuses reported an average of one licensed mental health provider per 3,500 students causing some students to wait up to three weeks to see a counselor.
Warning Signs Demanding Immediate Attention:
- Talking about or writing about suicide or death
- Giving direct verbal ques, such as, “I wish I were dead” and “I’m going to end it all”
- Isolating himself/herself from family and friends
- Giving away prized possessions
- Expressing the belief that life is meaningless
- Exhibiting a sudden or unexplained improvement in mood after being depressed and withdrawn
- Neglecting his or her hygiene
- Dropping out of school or social, athletic, and/or community activities
Additional Warning Signs:
- Frequent tearfulness and/or crying
- Decreased interest in activities or inability to enjoy previously favorite activities
- Hopelessness, helplessness
- Persistent boredom or low energy
- Social isolation
- Increase or decrease in sleeping patterns
- Increase or decrease in eating patterns
- Low self-esteem/guilt
- Difficulty with relationships
- Increased irritability, anger or hostility
- Drug and alcohol use
- Obsessive risk-taking
- Marked personality change
- Absences in school and/or drop in school performance