Regardless of the age of the suicidal young person, it is
important to NOT leave him/her alone and to offer to get
help.
While attending college can be demanding and stressful, it actually appears to be a protective factor for youth in this age category. In fact, college students represent less than 20% of the 18- to 24-year olds who die by suicide. One-third of college students who kill themselves appear to have been drinking before their death and the number one precipitating factor for suicidal behavior is intimate partner problems. Many colleges and universities in Washington State have counseling centers or health facilities on campus, including University of Washington-Tacoma, University of Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran University, making accessing resources easier and affordable. The Jed Foundation (www.jedfoundation.org) has programs for college students, their parents and campus professionals.
Drug and alcohol problems as well as involvement with the criminal justice system are significant precipitating factors in non-student suicides. Firearms are the number one way in which non-student males in this age group die by suicide. Stigma, fear, denial, and/or a lack of health insurance can be obstacles that make it challenging for the non-student to access mental health resources, but help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK is an immediate resource and local crisis lines provide contact information for outpatient counseling services. Also refer to content in section “About Suicide & Self Harm: Help for Ages 13-17” for specifics about the civil commitment laws in Washington State.
