Survey Probes Top Colleges' Suicide Rates

Of the 11 colleges surveyed, eight had suicide rates below the national average for college students.

Only two schools exceeded the average -- the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which topped the list with 10.2 suicides per 100,000 students per year, and Harvard University, with a rate of 7.4 suicides.

Cornell University, with the fourth highest rate of suicide in the survey, was among the schools with lower-than-average suicide rates.

Linda Grace-Kobas, director of Cornell news services, said the school's strong support network, which includes residence directors trained in psychological counseling, has contributed to the decrease in suicides during recent years.

Cornell's Empathy, Assistance and Referral Services program (EARS) provides a particularly unique way to deal with students suffering emotional distress.

EARS is staffed by students trained to answer their fellow students' distress calls and refer them to advisers and therapists.

Cornell's encouragement of the open discussion of suicide has been key to dissuading students from taking their lives, Grace-Kobas said. "We don't try to hide anything and we hope people will see ... (suicide as) a national problem," she said.

Duke University's suicide rate ranked just above Cornell's.

Libby Webb, assistant director for Clinical Services at Duke University's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), said communication between administrators and students provides the key to preventing suicide.

Webb said Duke's outreach programs, such as the Emotions Management Group, provide information and support for students struggling with depression.

UNC Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Director Dr. John Edgerly said UNC also has a counseling programs for students suffering from anxiety or depression, as well as a follow-up program for those recovering from the suicide of a fellow student.

Counseling services include an urgent care component that provides immediate assistance.

Two psychiatric professionals are on duty at all times if a student decides to call or come for help. "If (students) say they need to see somebody now, they will be seen now," Edgerly said.

Officials for all three schools said suicide prevention requires much more than an effective administrative program.

Webb stressed that the entire campus community should stay aware of severe depression and suicidal thoughts among students. "When I think of suicide prevention, I think of a total campus effort."

The State & National Editor can be reached at stntdesk@unc.edu.