1. Suicide: How can we better understand its causes
and prevent its occurrence?

2. The American
Foundation for
Suicide Prevention
ranks suicide as
the third leading
cause of death
among those 15-24
years old.
The national
average of college
students suffering
from severe
depression linked
to thoughts of
suicide is 13
percent of the
student body.
Out of this 13
percent of
contemplative
students, less than
1 percent actually
completes suicide.

3. • About 7 percent of DU students report suffering from major depression with
thoughts of suicide.
• At any given time, 3 percent of DU students may be in the contemplative state.
• Less than 1 percent of DU students actually complete suicide.

4. Stress from academic course load and the high
demands expected of college level students serves
as a leading contributing factor to development of
depression with suicidal thoughts.

5. The number one cause of suicide
among college students is untreated
depression.
"College can be a difficult transition,
with new independence,
responsibilities and expectations
arriving just as a student's previous
support system of family and friends
are often not readily available.”
“To add to the problem, the late teen
years are often when biologically-
based illnesses, such as depression
and bipolar disorder, begin to
manifest themselves.” says Dr. David
Kahn, vice chair for clinical affairs for
the Department of Psychiatry at New
York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia
University Medical Center.

6. Wrist cutting is usually practiced with the goal
of self-mutilation, and not suicide; however, if
the cut is deep and the bleeding is profuse
and/or allowed to continue, death may result.

7. The second most common
method used to commit suicide
is self-poisoning especially
through drug overdose.
Self-poisoning is especially
common among women who
desire a less violent method for
committing suicide.

8. Firearms are the most commonly used
method of suicide for men and women,
accounting for 60 percent of all suicides.

9. A white rose of remembrance for all those lost to suicide.
Dew drops mark the countless tears shed.

10. The best way to prevent someone from committing suicide is to develop a relationship with
them or strengthen your current relationship by being available to listen and talk.
“When a person discloses suicidal thoughts, we must resist the instinct to talk the person out
of it and instead say, ‘You must really be hurting. Tell me more.’” noted Dr. Stacey
Freedenthal, an associate professor at the DU Graduate School of Social Work.

11. According to mental health counselors at
Arizona State University, factors that can
help reduce suicidal thoughts and feelings
include: resiliency skills; healthy habits,
including adequate sleep, diet and physical
exercise; and readily accessible health
care and counseling services.

12. “A friend’s hug is like the stars that light up your life
when things get dark.” – Author Unknown