Key points

Losing a friend to suicide can be a profoundly sad experience, especially during the college years.

Campuses offer increased support and outreach after a campus suicide.

Colleges have crisis services if your student needs immediate help after a friend's suicide.

Parents can be a critical source of support during the grieving process for a friend.

Your daughter April calls you, crying.

“My ex-boyfriend killed himself. My friend who goes to the same college called to tell me. I knew he was feeling depressed when I broke up with him last month, but he never mentioned wanting to kill himself. He was seeing a psychiatrist and said he was starting to feel better. What if the breakup triggered this? I feel like it’s my fault.”

Over the 30 years of my providing psychiatric care

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