Suicide is a tragedy that has impacted many families and communities, and it's important to bring awareness to the issue in order to prevent further loss of life. Sometimes, the stress produced by the educational demands at college can directly or indirectly lead to students taking their own life. Hence, it is essential that schools build out robust student support programs and counseling to help prevent suicides on college campuses.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. In the United States, suicide rates among young adults have been steadily increasing in recent years. While the reasons behind this trend are complex and multifaceted, there are certain colleges and universities that have higher suicide rates than others.
For this BrokeScholar article, we will investigate some of the colleges with the highest suicide rates in the United States, as well as examine some of the potential causes behind these rates and the efforts being made to address the issue.
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Selective List of Colleges With the Highest Suicide Rates
This list of colleges and universities is not meant to be exhaustive. The list also is not intended to be a criticism of these institutions of higher learning. Instead, our purpose to merely to show you which colleges have historically dealt with higher-than-average suicide rates and the factors that may have contributed to this trend. Below is a selective list of colleges with high suicide rates:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the US, but it has also been labeled as the college with the highest suicide rate. In a 2019 study, MIT reported that 11 students had died by suicide in the past decade. This equates to a suicide rate of 18.5 per 100,000 students, which is more than double the national average.
There are several factors that may contribute to the high suicide rate at MIT. One of the most cited reasons is the high-pressure academic environment. Many MIT students are enrolled in rigorous and demanding programs, and the competition to succeed can be overwhelming. In addition, the culture at MIT often glorifies overworking and neglecting self-care, which can lead to burnout and mental health issues.
In response to the high suicide rates at MIT, the university has taken several steps to improve mental health services for students. This includes increasing the number of counselors and therapists available, implementing a 24/7 mental health hotline, and launching a peer support program.
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania has also been labeled as a college with a high suicide rate. In 2017, six students at Penn died by suicide, prompting the university to launch a task force to examine the issue. Like MIT, Penn is known for its competitive academic environment and high-pressure culture. Indeed, the University of Pennsylvania ranks as the best college in Pennsylvania in a BrokeScholar study. Furthermore, the university has faced criticism for its lack of diversity and inclusion, which can contribute to feelings of isolation and marginalization among some students.
In order to remedy these issues, Penn has implemented several initiatives aimed at improving mental health and well-being among students. This includes the creation of a student wellness center, the hiring of additional mental health staff, and the expansion of peer support programs.
Harvard University
Harvard is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. And, along with MIT, is one of the hardest colleges to get into in Massachusetts. But it has also been identified as a college with a high suicide rate. In a 2018 study, Harvard reported that seven students had died by suicide in the past four years.
Like MIT and Penn, the high-pressure academic environment at Harvard is often cited as a contributing factor to the high suicide rate. What’s more, the university has faced criticism for its lack of support for students of color and marginalized communities.
To address these issues, Harvard has implemented several initiatives aimed at improving mental health and diversity on campus. This includes the creation of a mental health task force, the hiring of additional mental health employees, and the implementation of a diversity and inclusion action plan.
New York University (NYU)
NYU is another college that has been identified as having a high suicide rate. In a 2018 study, NYU reported that eight students had died by suicide in the past ten years.
Like other colleges on this list, NYU is known for its competitive academic environment and high-pressure culture. In addition, being located in Manhattan, the university has faced criticism for its lack of affordable housing and the high cost of tuition, which can contribute to financial stress and mental health issues among students.
In order to mitigate these issues, NYU has implemented several initiatives aimed at improving mental health and financial support for students. This includes the creation of a student support center, the expansion of mental health services, and the implementation of a program to provide free tuition for low-income students.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA is a large public university with a high suicide rate. In a 2019 study, UCLA reported that five students had died by suicide in the past academic year.
Like other colleges on this list, UCLA has a competitive academic environment and a culture that can be overwhelming for some students. Again, like some of the other schools in this list, the university has faced criticism for its lack of diversity and inclusion, which can conjure up feelings of isolation and marginalization among certain segments of the student body.
In response to these issues, UCLA has implemented several initiatives aimed at improving mental health and diversity on campus. This includes the creation of a mental health task force, the expansion of mental health services, and the implementation of programs to support underrepresented students.
Cornell University
Cornell is an Ivy League university with a high suicide rate. In a 2018 study, Cornell reported that six students had died by suicide in the past academic year.
Like other colleges on this list, Cornell has a competitive academic environment and a culture that can be overwhelming for some students. Moreover, the university is located in a rural area, in Upstate New York, which can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness among some students.
In a manner similar to other colleges in this list, in response to suicides and mental health crises, Cornell has implemented several initiatives aimed at improving mental health and well-being among students. This includes the creation of a student support center, the expansion of mental health services, and the implementation of programs to support diversity and inclusion on campus.
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame is a Catholic university with a high suicide rate. In a 2018 study, Notre Dame reported that six students had died by suicide in the past decade.
Notre Dame might be most well-known because of its famous football program but this university has a competitive academic environment and a culture that can be overwhelming for some students. In fact, in a separate BrokeScholar study, Notre Dame ranked as the No. 1 best college in Indiana. Once again, like other schools on this list, the university has faced criticism for its lack of diversity and inclusion, which, as has been already acknowledged, can cause an increase in feelings of isolation and marginalization among some students.
To tackle these issues, Notre Dame has implemented several initiatives aimed at improving mental health and diversity on campus. This includes the creation of a mental health task force, the expansion of mental health services available to college students, and the implementation of programs to support historically underrepresented students.
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private university with a high suicide rate. In a 2019 study, Northwestern reported that six students had died by suicide in the past five years.
Like other colleges on this list, Northwestern has an aggressive academic environment and a culture that can be overwhelming for some students. In the past, lack of diversity and inclusion at Northwestern University was a major point of criticism. However, in recent years, Northwestern has worked to address these issues by putting into operation several initiatives aimed at improving mental health and diversity on campus. These remedies are similar to those implemented by other colleges on this list, such as the creation of a mental health task force, the extension of mental health services and staff, and putting into effect programs to support traditionally underrepresented populations that make up the student body.
The Bottom Line on Colleges with Highest Suicide Rates
Suicide rates among college students are a serious concern, and there are certain colleges and universities that have higher rates than others. While the reasons behind this trend are complex and multifaceted, many of the colleges with high suicide rates share similar characteristics, such as a competitive academic environment, a culture that glorifies overworking and neglecting self-care, and a lack of diversity and inclusion. Another major source of pressure on students is the cost of attending college, especially if they have student loans and face attending college during a recession.
In response to these worrying trends, many colleges and universities have implemented initiatives aimed at improving mental health and well-being among students, as well as promoting diversity and inclusion on campus. These efforts are an important step in preventing suicide among college students and creating a supportive and inclusive campus environment.
It's important to note that suicide is a complex issue with no easy solutions. While colleges and universities can take steps to improve mental health services and promote a supportive campus culture, it's also important for students to seek help if they are struggling with mental health issues or suicidal thoughts. This can include reaching out to campus counseling services, seeking help from a mental health professional, or calling a suicide hotline.
Additionally, it's important for family and friends to be aware of the signs of suicide risk and to offer support and encouragement to loved ones who may be struggling. This can include being a listening ear, encouraging professional help, and offering practical support, such as helping with schoolwork or other tasks.
Ultimately, suicide prevention requires a community effort, and it's important for colleges, students, families, and mental health professionals to work together to create a supportive and inclusive environment for all students. By raising awareness of the issue and taking action to address it, we can help prevent further loss of life and promote mental health and well-being for all students.
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