Mental Health Crisis Strikes North Carolina State University as Student Suicides Surge

By Telita Montales , Parent Herald May 25, 12:00 am

North Carolina State University (NCSU) has been forced to deal with a problem on its own campus while young people's mental health issues throughout the country are on the rise. According to NBC News, NCSU unfortunately documented 14 student fatalities during the 2022-2023 academic year, with seven of them being suicides. The devastating impact of these losses has deeply affected the university community, prompting urgent action and reflection.

Chancellor Expresses Heartbreak as NCSU Mourns Student Deaths

Chancellor Randy Woodson expressed his heartbreak and offered condolences to the families and friends of the students who passed away. Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, he emphasized the shared grief felt by the university community. The remaining student deaths were attributed to two overdoses, four natural deaths, and one car accident.

According to Fox News, NCSU recognizes the need for immediate support and intervention. The university has established a Student Mental Health Task Force, which was launched in November. This task force aims to strengthen the existing network of support and resources for students. NCSU provides numerous suicide prevention resources, including an online suicide prevention portal that offers links to support programs and information. Other initiatives include a crisis hotline, a counseling center, and a teletherapy service.

However, according to ABC7 Chicago, experts in the field of mental health emphasize that simply making resources available is often insufficient. Robin Glenn, a licensed therapist specializing in young adults and children, suggests that schools should require attendance at programs and services. Glenn asserts that students in distress are unlikely to proactively seek out resources themselves. Instead, she proposes a proactive approach where schools bring resources directly to students, ensuring regular check-ins, webinars, and meetings to foster a sense of community and combat loneliness.

Calls for Proactive Approach To Address College Mental Health Crisis

The institution has already made some strides in this area by setting up social gatherings for students and providing mental health assistance. The supply of these resources is presently insufficient to meet the demand, however. According to NCSU resident advisor Gustavo Armas, more work has to be done to accommodate the requirements of students who are in need of assistance.

NCSU is hardly the only college campus experiencing a mental health crisis. Anxiety, despair, and loneliness are becoming widespread problems among college students everywhere. The COVID-19 pandemic-exacerbated isolation, the negative effects of social media, peer harassment, discrimination, and academic pressure are all contributing factors to this crisis. Students are very concerned about the rising expense of tuition.

Roy Cooper, the governor of North Carolina, has highlighted the need of giving kids' mental health first priority because he understands the severity of the matter. Funds have been set aside by Cooper's office for mental health initiatives at state colleges and universities. Among college students, suicide is presently the second most common cause of death.

Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, has also expressed worry about the detrimental impact of social media on young people's mental health. According to studies, teens who use social media excessively are more likely to experience sadness and anxiety. Building resilience and participating in offline activities, according to experts, may aid in reducing these problems.

The tragic events at NCSU serve as a solemn reminder of the urgent need to address mental health issues with college students. Universities, communities, and governments must work together to put comprehensive support systems in place, prioritize mental health resources, and promote a resilient and healthy culture.