Understanding College Suicide Rates: Statistics, Trends, and Prevention Strategies

Suicide is a critical public health concern, and its impact on college campuses demands attention. This article delves into the statistics surrounding suicide rates in colleges, explores contributing factors, and highlights prevention strategies to support student well-being.

The Scope of the Problem

Mental health challenges are a growing concern for teens and young adults, and suicide rates among young people have increased. It becomes imperative to understand the prevalence and factors contributing to suicidal ideation and attempts among college students.

Approximately 24,000 college students attempt suicide each year.
The American College Health Association National College Health Assessment surveyed over 20,000 students across the United States and found that almost 16% were diagnosed with depression. Within that same study, it was found that 10.3% of the initial surveyed students had contemplated attempting suicide within the last year before taking the survey.

Examining Suicide Rates in Colleges

While college students have far lower rates of suicide than the general population, a substantial number of students experience suicide-related thoughts and behaviors, with some student groups being more vulnerable than others. Understanding the specific rates and trends is crucial for developing effective prevention efforts.

Historical Data and Recent Findings

Possibly the most commonly cited study of suicide rates among university students claims that 7.5 out of 100,000 students die by suicide. However, the 10-year study of undergraduate and graduate students at Big Ten universities, published in Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, is from the 1980s.

More recent research suggests that the college student suicide rate has decreased over the decades. In another study at Big Ten schools, published by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, researchers found that 5.6 out of 100,000 students died by suicide between 2009-2018.

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It’s important to recognize that these studies only looked at 13 large, Midwestern universities.

A 2013 study of 157 four-year colleges published in the Journal of College Student Psychotherapy found that suicide was the second-leading cause of death for college students, following accidental injury. Suicide was more common than death by cancer, homicide, or alcohol-related injuries.

Based on these studies, college students have far lower rates of suicide than the general population. The suicide rate in the general population is about 80.5 out of 100,000 people. That’s over 14 times the college student suicide rate from the recent Big Ten study.

Feeling connected to one’s school and being able to access mental health care services can be protective factors against suicide. However, many college students experience suicide-related thoughts and have even attempted suicide, which can be a risk factor for suicide in the future.

Big Ten University Study: An In-Depth Look

In an effort to continue to understand suicide rates and trends in college campuses, the Big Ten university counseling centers decided to continue to collect data on deaths by suicides in their campuses. Data from fall 2009 through fall 2018 were obtained. Enrollment and demographic data for most universities were readily available. The total number of students across all Big Ten universities for the years (2009-2018) for which data were reported was about 4.8 million students (Table 1). The overall average suicide rate per 100,000 students is 5.60 for the years 2009 to 2018 in the Big Ten college campuses. This is lower than the rate calculated by Silverman et al. (1997), which was 7.5/100,000. population national average suicide rate of 14.2/100,000 based on 2018 data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; Hedegaard, Curtin, and Warner, 2020).

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The Big Ten university counseling centers decided to continue data collection on deaths by suicide. The current study found that the updated suicide rate in college campuses using data from 2009 to 2018 was 5.6/100,000. This rate is lower than the rate reported by Silverman et al. (1997). Therefore, in about 30 years, the suicide rate in Big Ten universities has decreased 25.3%. population average suicide rate in 2018, which was 14.2/100,000 (Hedegaard, Curtin, and Warner, 2020). The 25.3% decrease in the suicide rate in Big Ten universities can be evidence of the success of suicide prevention efforts taken by college campuses and counseling centers at Big Ten universities.

Methodology and Definitions

Silverman et al. (1997) conducted a comprehensive 10-year study at 13 Big Ten university campuses to get a more accurate understanding of deaths by suicide in college campuses. Silverman et al. (1997) collected data from 1980 to 1990, at which point the study stopped. Each participating Big Ten universities counseling center sought research approval from their universities to participate in the study and contribute data. All schools have different methodologies by which they gather and contribute data to the database. For the purpose of this report, data from the most recent 10 years were analyzed given that various universities could not verify the data on deaths by suicide for the early 2000s. Thus, the time frame for this report is September 1, 2009, to August 31, 2019. The current report uses an academic year time frame, which is defined as the 12-month period from September 1 to August 31. This reporting time frame is consistent to the time frame used by Silverman et al.

The definitions of “student” and “student suicide” in this report were kept consistent to the definitions used by Silverman et al. (1997). A “student” is defined as an individual who was registered for credits as a full- or part-time student during the academic year in undergraduate or graduate programs in the main campuses at the Big Ten universities. suicide that occurs by an individual who was a “student” as previously described within 6 months from being registered as an active student. Consistent with Silverman et al. (1997), “suicide” is “a self-inflicted injury resulting in death” (p. 289). Representatives at each Big Ten counseling center identified a student death in their university as a “suicide” internally based on information they received of the incident.

To ensure that data were contributed in a secure way that would protect the identity and privacy of the students, all Big Ten universities were assigned a numerical “University Code” that they used to enter their data to the database rather than using the institution name. The data is stored in a secured database at the University of Illinois Counseling Center, which serves as the repository for this data. The raw database is only accessed by the study team. Data entered is not identifiable given that student names or initials are not entered. As such, the raw database does not have any first or last names, and universities have random numerical codes that have only been shared among the Big Ten counseling center representatives. Thirteen Big Ten universities participated in and contributed data for the study.

Demographic Factors

Percentages of deaths by suicide by gender, race, nationality, and class standing were calculated (Table D-2). When comparing percentages of deaths by suicide by gender identity, the majority of deaths by suicide occurred in males (67.53%) and it is higher relative to male representation on campus (51.18%). The majority of deaths by suicide by race occurred in White students (43.29%), which is lower relative to White students’ representation on campus (i.e., 74.70%). In comparing international students with domestic students, there was a higher percentage of deaths by suicide in domestic students (46.75%).

For gender, the suicide rates for female (1.72/100,000) and male (6.37/100,000) students are significantly different, indicating that male university students have a higher suicide rate than female students. Regarding race, the suicide rates for Asian (6.33/100,000) and Black (8.34/100,000) students are significantly different from the rates for White students (3.18/100,000), but not from each other. As such, the data indicate that while most deaths by suicide in college campuses occur in White students (i.e., 43.29%), the suicide rate of White students is significantly lower than for Asian and Black students. The results confirmed that there were no significant differences in the suicide rates for undergraduate (3.76/100,000) and graduate students (3.13/100,000). There were also no significant differences in the suicide rates for international (3.22/100,000) and domestic students (2.61/100,000).

Limitations of the Big Ten Study

One of the most noteworthy limitations of the current report is the potential inaccuracy of the data reported on suicide incidents in college campuses. As expressed by Silverman at al. (1997), the accuracy and the level to which the data reported is complete can be of concern in suicide-related studies. Steps were taken to ensure that data were accurately entered into the database, such as constant communication between the counseling centers at the participating Big Ten universities and the strong commitment to the study by all institutions. Each university had its own internal system to ensure that the data contributed to the study and the database were correct and complete.

Another limitation to note is that some universities were unable to enter all their data into the database and only reported the number of incidents by year in their campuses. Additionally, a limitation of this study is its scope. The purpose and scope of this report is to update the previous suicide rate for 100,000 in college campuses in the United States. Analyses examining the gender, race, nationality, and class standing suicide rates and percentages were also performed to understand the demographic composition of Big Ten universities and of students who have died by suicide.

National Survey Data and Trends

Since 2007, the annual Healthy Minds Study has surveyed over 520,000 undergraduate and graduate students. From 2007-2021:

21.3% of students reported intentionally injuring themselves within a year of the survey.
11.7% of students reported suicidal ideation within the year.
4.6% had planned a suicide.
1.2% had attempted suicide.

These numbers increased in 2022:

28% of students reported intentionally injuring themselves within the past year.
15% reported suicidal ideation.
6% had planned a suicide.
2% had attempted suicide.

Additionally, the American College Health Association (ACHA) surveyed nearly 70,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students about their mental health. It included questions that screen for suicide-related thoughts and behaviors.

About 30% of undergraduate college students screened positive on a suicide-related behavior questionnaire, meaning they reported some sucide-related thoughts or behaviors.
About 21% of graduate students screened positive on the questionnaire.

Suicide Rates by Education Level

Between 2000 and 2014, men and women aged ≥25 years with at least a college degree exhibited the lowest suicide rates; those with a high school degree displayed the highest rates. Men with a high school education were twice as likely to die by suicide compared with those with a college degree in 2014. The education gradient in suicide mortality generally remained constant over the study period. Interpersonal/relationship problems and substance abuse were more common circumstances for less educated decedents.

Factors Contributing to Suicide Risk Among College Students

Several factors contribute to the increased risk of suicide among college students. These include:

Mental Health Disorders

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), approximately 49% of the student population within the educational system have been diagnosed with or treated for depression. Depression is the strongest correlate of suicidal behavior in college students. The 2017 National College Health Assessment found that half of college students reported being overwhelmed by feelings of sadness or anxiety. The American College Health Association National College Health Assessment did a survey of over 20,000 students across the United States and found that almost 16% were diagnosed with depression.

Stressors Specific to College Life

The combination of new stressors, identity searching, and the fact that many common mental health problems arise within the age group most students fall under, all adds up as factors that can lead students to being more predisposed to depression. There is significant correlation between negative life events, such as sexual assault, and suicide risk.

Suicidal Ideation

Suicidal ideation refers to the act of thinking about, considering, or planning suicide. Suicidal ideation has risen in prevalence amongst college-age students. A study at Emory University found that 11.1% of students reported having suicidal ideation within the past four weeks and 16.5% of students attempted suicide or had a self-injurious event at least once in their lifetime.

Social and Cultural Factors

Gender: Transgender and gender-nonconforming students were more likely to report having attempted suicide and other suicide-related behaviors than their cisgender peers. More than half of transgender and gender-nonconforming graduate students (52%) screened positive for suicide-related behaviors, compared to 21% of all graduate students. 7.4% of trans and gender-nonconforming undergraduates students said they had attempted suicide in the past year, versus 3% of cis men and 2.3% of cis women. While cis men students tend to report lower suicide-related behaviors in general, they report higher suicide attempts than cis women students. Cis men also have higher rates of suicide in the general population, compared to cis women.
LGBTQ+ Communities: In a 2022 BestColleges survey, nearly one-third of LGBTQ+ students (30%) said they had thoughts of suicide in the past year, almost double the percentage for straight students (16%). Being LGBTQ+ isn’t a risk factor, but experiencing discrimination and lacking access to identity-affirming health care is.
Race: Pacific Islander, Native American, and Black students have reported far higher rates of attempted suicide than students of other races. 3.3% of Pacific Islander students in the Healthy Minds surveys from 2007-2021 reported having attempted suicide in the year prior to the survey - that’s almost three times the national rate of 1.2%. 2.5% of Native American students reported having attempted suicide - more than twice the national rate. 1.8% of Black college students reported having attempted suicide.
Overlapping Identities: Overlapping identities - like race, gender, and sexuality - impact how someone experiences racism, transphobia, and homophobia, which can influence mental health and suicide risk. Research and national survey efforts by LGBTQ+ suicide prevention organization The Trevor Project found: Youth of color who were LGBTQ+ reported higher rates of attempting suicide. Youth who were Native/Indigenous and Two-Spirit/LGBTQ+ were over twice as likely as white LGBTQ+ youth to report attempting suicide in the past year (33% compared to 14%). Youth who were Black and trans or nonbinary also report disproportionately high rates of considering (59%) and having attempted suicide (26%).

Other Vulnerable Groups

Suicide rates and barriers to mental health care vary across cultural, social, demographic, and other groups. According to the CDC:

The suicide rate among military veterans is 57.3% greater than within the non-veteran population.
Adults with disabilities were three times more likely to report suicide-related thoughts than people without disabilities.
Rural areas experience higher suicide rates than cities.

In a 2011 American Psychological Association survey, 7.7% of college students who were veterans reported a suicide attempt. There are some studies about suicidality in rural college students but no evidence-based interventions for this group. Overall, more research is needed on suicide prevalence and prevention among college students who are veterans, have disabilities, or live in rural communities.

Strategies for Suicide Prevention on College Campuses

Suicide is preventable. The CDC lists prevention strategies for states and communities, including: developing financial security and housing, reducing access to lethal weapons among people at risk, improving healthcare, and other interpersonal supports. Additionally, research points to some strategies that colleges and people who support college students can use to prevent suicide.

Reduce Stigma About Mental Health Concerns

Researchers who used Healthy Minds survey data from 2007-2018, including responses from over 150,000 college students, found that students who perceived higher levels of public stigma around mental health conditions reported higher rates of suicide-related thoughts or attempts.

Defend Against Discrimination

A 2019 study including nearly 900 LGBTQ+ students found that experiencing discrimination was linked to depression and suicide attempts. Also, students who had experienced more victimization, such as verbal or physical threats or assaults, reported higher rates of suicide-related thoughts or behaviors. Social connectedness was associated with less severe depression and suicidal ideation or behaviors. Additionally, positive identity affirmation (defined by self-acceptance and a sense of belonging) helped curb depression levels for students who had been victimized.

Eliminate Specific Barriers to Mental Health Care

In 2020, researchers used data from roughly 3,400 students who screened for elevated suicide risk to identify barriers to using mental health services. Barriers differed for different student groups. LGBTQ+, Black, and Hispanic students identified finances and a lack of sensitivity to cultural issues as significant barriers. Women, too, identified a lack of financial resources as a barrier to accessing care. Worries about privacy or stigma kept men and younger students from getting help. White students and older students identified a lack of time as a barrier.

Comprehensive Prevention Programs

Thanks to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), many college campuses across the country have implemented programs and best practices for suicide prevention and postvention, which make a positive difference.

The Role of Gatekeepers

Gatekeepers are another form of prevention utilized within some colleges and universities. "Gatekeepers" are those people who regularly encounter distressed individuals or groups.

The Importance of Social Support

Social support may be key to help prevent suicide in college populations.

Addressing the Systemic Failures

After her death, we learned of the school’s inadequate mental health resources on campus, the lack of ‘best practice’ prevention or postvention resources (i.e., how to best handle things if a suicide should occur) for students and families, as well as the manner in which the university seemed to hide student suicides from public view. People and institutions often mistakenly think it’s safest not to speak about this manner of death, which only serves to increase shame and discourage help-seeking. We were frustrated by the lack of safety nets for when a student shows all the signs of drowning in the deep waters of a mental health crisis.

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