Suicide warning for students is a common issue, and it’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough. We’re here to do just that talk about it. We’ll cover the signs to watch out for, the myths around suicide, and provide you with some resources to help on your college journey.
The Few Reasons For Suicide
We’ve all heard the stories. A student comes home from a party and jumps from his dorm room window. Another student, who just failed her exam, hangs herself in her bedroom closet. These are tragic events that happen on college campuses every day.
Studies show that suicide is the third leading cause of death among college students, behind car accidents and drug overdoses. One might ask, “How can a young person with so much life ahead of them make this decision?” Some experts suggest it’s because college is an environment where no one knows you and you are faced with adult decisions you may not be ready to handle.
It’s a time to find yourself while also learning to live independently, which is stressful enough without having to worry about finances and other adult responsibilities. Here are some reasons why college students may be at such a high risk for suicide:
The feeling of being overwhelmed
Many students feel overwhelmed by all of their responsibilities, including schoolwork, family obligations, and financial concerns. Many first-time students or those going away from home for the first time may feel homesick as well. They may also feel pressure if they think they’re not performing up to par compared with their peers. Stressors like these can lead to depression or anxiety disorders which could cause a student to.
The 10 Suicide Warning Signs
Often, when people struggle with suicidal thoughts. They do not know where to turn or what to do. They may be afraid to be judged or identified as “crazy”, so they keep their feelings and thoughts secret. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here is a list of suicide warning signs that can help you determine if someone you know may be at risk for suicide.
- Suicide threat – either direct (“I’m going to commit suicide”) or indirect (“If I fell asleep and never woke up”)
- Increased alcohol or drug use
- Back to school necklace
- Aggressive behavior
- Withdrawal from friends, family, and community
- Behavioral or reckless behavior
- Providing valuable resources
- Disciplining things (wishing, paying off debts)
- Calling people to say goodbye
- A sudden feeling of calm after being extremely depressed
Conclusion
If you know that someone is thinking of suicide or could be at risk of doing so, it’s important to be able to recognize the warning signs. If someone you know exhibits these warning signs, you should talk to them and help them get the support they need (calling The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a great place to start). By doing so, you could save a life.
Originally posted 2022-04-27 11:41:49.
