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Suicidal thoughts common among college students

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Many college students become so distressed at some point they think briefly about killing themselves, according to a new study.

In a Web-based poll of more than 26,000 students at 70 colleges and universities, more than half said they had at least one episode of suicidal thinking at some point in their lives. Two-thirds of those considered suicide on more than one occasion in a 12-month period.

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The survey, conducted by the National Research Consortium of Counseling Centers in Higher Education and reported Sunday at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Assn. in Boston, also found that 15% of students admitted having seriously considered attempting suicide and more than 5% reported making a suicide attempt.

The majority of the students said the suicidal-thinking was intense but brief, lasting one day or less. More than half of the students who experienced a suicidal crisis did not seek professional help or tell anyone about their thoughts. The students said the reasons for their suicidal thinking were 1) wanting relief from physical or emotional pain 2) problems with romantic relationships 3) the desire to end their life 4) problems with school or academics.

What to make of this? Well, the fact that so many young people had thought about suicide and yet had not told anyone or sought help means the traditional model of helping students in crisis isn’t quite working, said researchers from the University of Texas, Austin, who presented the data. It may be more useful, they said, to educate young people that any suicidal thoughts and behaviors are a problem that requires attention. Moreover, they said, a broader cross-section of people on campus should be involved to intervene when students become distressed: teachers, parents, student leaders, faculty and administrators, not just mental health professionals.

-- Shari Roan

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