The Student with Suicidal Tendencies

Although suicide is a rare event, it is the second leading cause of death among college students. Suicidal states are often associated with major depression, a combination of acute anxiety and depression, post traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder. Suicidal people often tell people about their thoughts or give clues to others about their feelings.

Some factors associated with suicide risk are:

• suicidal thoughts
• pessimistic view of the future
• intense feelings of hopelessness, especially when combined with anxiety
• feelings of alienation and isolation
• viewing death as a means of escape from 
distress
• personal or family history of depression or psychosis
• personal or family history of suicide attempts
• substance abuse
• history of self- mutilation

A suicidal student who confides in someone is often ambivalent about suicide and open to discussion.

Students who are at high risk usually have a specific plan, have a means that is lethal (e.g., medication, knife, gun), and tend to be or feel isolated.