Suicide On College Campuses

Most colleges are unable to calculate the true statistics for suicide on their campuses. However, increasing awareness of the issue and focusing on treatment and campus outreach programs can help fix this. College for most people is the only time where one setting encompasses all aspects of a person’s life, including social activities, career related or academic activities, health services, etc. and this offers a unique opportunity to address the issue of suicide. There are several ways in which colleges can help address the issue. One way colleges can make a difference is by restricting access to the means of committing suicide, although absolute control of this is not possible. So for example, colleges could ban personal firearms or guns

on campus and in campus buildings and enforce this. Colleges should also make sure that although challenging, the goals that they set for their students aren’t impossible and that the system is fair to help reduce unnecessary stress and pressure. For the problem of funding, colleges should prioritize funding for mental health and counseling programs and services and seek donations from alumni. In addition, some federal legislation, such as the 2004 Grant Lee Smith Memorial Act, can help fund suicide prevention programs on campus. However, even with increased funding, nearly 80% of college students who have committed suicide never sought counseling or treatment. Thus, colleges should increase awareness of their programs by better advertising their resources and should make sure that counseling services are included in the student insurance plans. These counseling programs should determine whether hospitalization for suicidal patients is necessary, but should not ban students with suicidal thoughts from campus as that is helpful to no one and does not solve the problem. These counseling services should strive to rebuild hope and health in these students, rather than focus on prescribing medication. One way counselors can do this is by encouraging students to join a club or group on campus. Research has shown that belonging to a group, such as a sports team, can decrease suicidal behavior. Medication may be appropriate in some cases, but these drugs can be counterproductive because they shift the focus away from modifying behavior and relationships and confronting life stresses. However, an effective solution for suicides on campus cannot rely entirely on individual focused counseling. Rather, the entire college community should share the responsibility and focus on reducing and eliminating college suicide by eliminating the stigma of seeking help, looking out for each other, and supporting one another.