The number of college students contemplating and attempting suicide could be rising, according to a new study done by a psychology professor at the University of Iowa.

The study surveyed students at four large universities. John Westefeld, who conducted the study, found that 24 percent of the respondents said they had thought about attempting suicide while in college. He said the number had jumped considerably from studies done in 2001 that put it at about 8.5 percent.

What struck him the most, he said, was the increase in attempted suicides to 5 percent, compared with studies that showed respondents in the 1-percent range.

Chris Patton, secretary in the Dean of Students office, said since 1999 there have been numerous ISU student deaths, but only 7 confirmed suicides.

Marty Martinez, staff psychologist at Student Counseling Service, said the number of college students considering suicide seems accurate.

“I think the numbers are true and reflect what’s happening on college campuses,” Martinez said.

He also said the number of ISU students who have taken their own lives does not surprise him because of links between depression and suicide.

“It’s so sad and tragic,” Martinez said. “Unfortunately, it does not strike me as surprising.”

Westefeld said his interest in suicide stems back to high school when a good friend of his committed suicide. When Westefeld began work at Iowa State’s Student Counseling Service in the 1970s, he said he saw a high number of students attempting suicide and decided to do more research on it.

This resulted in two studies published in 1987 and 1992. His most recent study is a follow-up to these.

Westefeld said he does not know why suicide rates are rising. But, he said, depression, loneliness and stress related to financial, school or relationship issues are possible reasons. Most people who commit suicide, he said, will suddenly show a drastic change in their behavior, and most have attempted suicide before.

He said higher suicide rates may also be the result of more students coming forward than in the past.

Bradley Graham took his life in fall 2003 when he was a freshman in agricultural business. His friends, however, saw him as a happy person with no noticeable behavior changes.

Matthew Mann, sophomore in agricultural business, became good friends with Graham through a learning community their freshman year. He said the death came as a shock.

Mann said it was not until afterward, when he became closer to Graham’s family, that he discovered Graham had attempted suicide before.

Westefeld said one of the things the study reviewed was how universities were viewing counseling services. He said most universities and colleges around the country offer these services, with Iowa State’s Student Counseling Service having an outstanding reputation nationwide.

Martinez said he agreed universities are becoming more proactive about helping students through counseling and said more faculty and staff at Iowa State are thinking about partnering with the counseling services to better help their students.

The Student Counseling Service, located in the Student Services Building, offers free counseling to students.