The end of semester brings finals, grades and stress. This addedweight to students' lives can bring some down and feeling lost.
"This is a more stressful time for people, and the outcome maybe depression," Tracy Bemis-Smiley, legal aid victim assistant forA Better Way Crisis and Information center, said.
Sometimes, though, students are driven further thandepression.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among collegestudents, according to the Ball State Counseling Center's Website.
About 12 people between the ages of 15 and 24 commit suicideeveryday, according to the American Association of Suicidology, butBall State counselors say watching for warning signs can preventsuch deaths.
Ellen Mauer, associate director/outreach-consultationpsychologist for the Ball State Counseling Service, said warningsigns include a sudden interest in suicide-themed music, givingaway prized possessions, signs of planning such as purchasing a gunand withdrawal from friends.
Students expressing feelings of worthlessness and lonelinessalso might mean someone is severely depressed.
According to the Counseling Center's Web site, 80 percent ofthose who commit suicides give warning.
Housing and Residence Life is aware of this statistic and takesit seriously, Jose Gonzalez, assistant director of Housing andResidence Life, said.
Gonzalez said residence assistants hope they can establishstrong connections with students so they can notice changes intheir behaviors.
Assistants look for students who usually go to class and thensuddenly stop, change their moods drastically and change theirsleeping habits, Gonzalez said.
Most people contemplating suicide just need someone to talk to,Bemis-Smiley said.
"Being a good listener is the best thing anyone can do forsomeone considering suicide," Bemis-Smiley said.
Friends of people suffering from depression should also ask themif they are considering suicide.
Asking about suicide will not put it into people's heads becauseit has probably already crossed their minds, Mauer said.
"People who have attempted suicide in the past are more likelyto try again," Mauer said.
The Counseling Center is open to listen to students and find newways to cope with problems that might arise.
"Students should not wait until things get worse to get help,"Mauer said.
A Better Way Crisis and Information Center is also ready toanswer phone calls 24 hours a day.
"There is hope for students," Mauer said. "That's why (theCounseling Center) is here."
Ball State's Counseling Center is a free service in whichstudents can confidentially talk about their problems. The centeris open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
After-hours counselors can be contacted for emergencies througha pager.
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