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Suicide Leading Cause Of Death Among College Students

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - When we reflect upon our time in college, it is often with fond memories. While this continues to be the case for current college students, an alarming trend is apparent on campuses all around the country - and these memories are not so fond.

According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center in Waltham, MA, suicide is now the leading cause of death among college and university students in the country.

Educational institutions are mobilizing to address this growing crisis, and the Jed Foundation has created the "College and University Suicide Prevention Accreditation Program" to train professionals with the goal of reducing the incidence of suicide and suicidal behaviors.

Virtually every college in the country has information and hosts a website for students at risk, and in Philadelphia, the Temple University site is a good example of what colleges are doing to meet this need, listing risk factors, warning signs, how to intervene, resources, and how to get help.

A tough but important topic.

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