Understanding Student Mortality: Suicide and Overdose Statistics at CU Boulder

The issue of student mortality, particularly concerning suicide and drug overdoses, is a critical concern on college campuses nationwide, including the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder). This article delves into the available information surrounding these deaths, contributing factors, and ongoing efforts to address mental health and substance abuse among students.

The Reality of Suicide on College Campuses

Suicide is a leading cause of death on college campuses. According to a survey conducted by the American College Health Association in 2024, just over 2% of students had attempted suicide in the past year. While research suggests that being a college student reduces risk compared to the general population of the same age, the social and academic stressors inherent in the college experience create a vulnerable environment for mental health challenges.

A Personal Tragedy: The Story of Manny Pargman

Manny Pargman, an 18-year-old CU Boulder student, died by suicide after Thanksgiving break. Friends and family remember him as someone who "would light up a room," a fun-loving individual who played the drums and DJ’ed. His father, Ben Pargman, expressed the shock and confusion felt by many, questioning how someone with such strong relationships could die in this way. Manny's death was one of at least four CU students to die by suicide last semester, according to data from the Boulder County Coroner’s Office.

The Search for Answers and Preventative Measures

Ben Pargman is actively working to raise awareness about suicide risk and promote preventative measures. His ideas include online mental health screenings during class registration and suicide prevention training for all freshmen. CU’s assistant vice chancellor for health promotion, Kathryn Dailey, stated that the university is "regularly evaluating our services, both our prevention and also our support resources," including free counseling and training for faculty and staff.

Among Manny’s fraternity brothers, informal support systems are growing. Yehuda Halevi, a senior, organized weekly meetings at the Chabad house, a Jewish community center on campus, to create a space for vulnerability around grief and darkness. Ozzie Foster, a friend of Manny’s, is working on legislation for CU’s student government to improve counseling services.

Addressing Shame and Academic Pressure

Before his death, Manny had missed three weeks of his writing class and had failed a psychology midterm. Vanessa Baird, a political science professor at CU, recognized the destructive nature of shame associated with academic performance. To combat this, she and others in her department introduced the "Manny Card," a one-time do-over for any assignment. Baird plans to share Manny's story with her freshman classes, offering grace on assignments in his memory.

The Opioid Crisis and Fentanyl Overdoses

Beyond suicide, drug overdoses, particularly those involving fentanyl, pose a significant threat to college students. The story of Madelyn Globe, a CU Boulder student who died after taking a pill laced with fentanyl, highlights the dangers of counterfeit drugs.

The Tragedy of Madelyn Globe

Madelyn Globe, a 21-year-old CU Boulder student, died after taking a pill she and her friends believed to be Xanax, an anti-anxiety medication. The pill was laced with fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid. Maddy's mother, Susan Globe, expressed her shock at the prevalence of Xanax use among college students as a "party drug."

The Rise of Counterfeit Drugs

Andrew Kirshbaum, the lead detective on Maddy's case, explained that Maddy and her friends purchased Xanax from a dealer off the streets. They were unaware that one of the pills contained fentanyl. The fake drugs are often made overseas and sold through the dark web, making them difficult to track.

A Call for Awareness

Maddy’s friends are hoping others will take notice that “This could happen to anyone. This could be anyone's daughter, anyone's child." Susan Globe emphasized that Maddy "wasn't an addict" but "made a really bad choice."

Read also: Research at CU Boulder

Addressing the Opioid Crisis

Experts point to three streams feeding the opioid crisis: long-term opioid addiction, casual pharmaceutical use among students, and the availability of drugs through the dark web. Xanax is not the only drug being spoofed; other drugs like cocaine are also being mixed with synthetic opioids.

Additional Risk Factors and Research Findings

Research from CU Boulder indicates that adolescents with serious conduct and substance use problems are five times more likely to die prematurely than their peers. The study, published in the journal Addiction, suggests that antisocial behavior may be a more powerful predictor of early mortality than substance use.

Colorado Suicide Statistics

In 2019, 1,287 Coloradans lost their lives to suicide, marking a higher number than ever recorded in the state. Colorado has consistently had one of the highest age-adjusted suicide death rates in the nation.

Key Data Stories

The Colorado Health Institute (CHI) has identified several key data stories that illuminate the dynamics of suicide in the state:

Mental Health Challenges: Many people who died by suicide in Colorado had a current depressed mood or a diagnosed mental health problem, but less than a third were receiving mental health care.
Structural Racism: People of color in Colorado who died by suicide were less likely to have mental health treatment than white Coloradans.
Youth Risk Factors: The number and rate of suicide deaths among Colorado residents ages 15-19 has been increasing. LGBTQIA+ youth are at increased risk.
Substance Use: Alcohol has consistently been the top substance detected among suicide deaths in Colorado, but marijuana has become the second highest.
Physical Health Challenges: Physical health problems are a common contributing factor in suicides among older adults.

University Resources and Challenges

CU Boulder offers resources for treating mental health issues, including free counseling sessions and therapy groups. However, multiple student groups have spoken out about long backlogs for mental health services. Janie Strouss-Tallman, president of CU’s National Alliance on Mental Illness chapter, identified the difficulty of seeing a counselor quickly as a “major barrier” to students receiving mental health care.

tags: #boulder #student #death #statistics