It’s not out of the ordinary to hear a friend make a joke about killing themselves after a minor inconvenience. Perhaps you even make those jokes yourself. If you look at your overwhelming academic calendar, stacked with deadlines and exam dates, you might say, “I’m going to kill myself.” Even though we all know that suicide isn’t a joke, that doesn’t often stop us from having those types of thoughts. But are suicidal thoughts normal?
The answer is: kind of. While it’s important to normalize the discussion of mental health issues, frequent or intense suicidal thoughts are a sign that professional help is needed. By understanding the difference between suicidal thoughts and suicidal intent, you can gain a better idea of when it’s time to seek professional mental health care.
If you’re in danger to yourself, or you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.
The difference between suicidal thoughts and suicidal intent in college
When you’re in college, it seems like there are challenges every week that interfere with your mental health, potentially leading to suicidal thoughts. In a study completed for the 2021-2022 school year, approximately 15% of surveyed college students reported seriously contemplating taking their lives in the past year.
From homesickness that makes you feel overwhelmingly sad to a packed exam schedule that causes anxiety to take over every part of your body, college can put excessive strain on your mental health, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with a mental health condition. These challenges may result in you thinking about death or suicide.
There’s a difference between suicidal thoughts and suicidal intent. Essentially, suicidal thoughts, or suicidal ideation, refers to thinking about suicide or death without having a plan to act on them. These may refer to fantasies about dying or wishing that you were no longer alive. Suicidal intent means that you are making plans to kill yourself, which requires urgent intervention.
Suicidal ideation and suicidal intent may also be known as passive and active suicidal thoughts, respectively. Without an intent to kill yourself, you’re having passive suicidal thoughts. They “pass” through your mind without any deeper meaning. If you have a plan or intend to kill yourself, you’re having active suicidal thoughts, as you’re actively planning to take your own life.
When you should be concerned about suicidal thoughts in college
While suicidal intent requires urgent health care and treatment, suicidal ideation still shouldn’t be left untreated. Without addressing suicidal thoughts, they can worsen from passive to active thoughts.
You should seek mental health care for your suicidal thoughts in college if you’re:
- Having thoughts about taking your life on a regular basis
- Fascinated or obsessed with death
- Feeling like a burden to those around you
- Isolating or withdrawing from others
- Feeling hopeless or pessimistic about your future
Suicidal thoughts can also be a symptom of major depressive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder, which requires treatment to reduce its effects on your overall quality of life. You may experience symptoms including heightened irritability, fatigue and concentration issues.
What to do if you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts in college
If you’re experiencing persistent or worsening suicidal thoughts in college, it’s crucial that you seek safe and effective treatment to address them. Talk to your doctor or a campus mental health counselor about your thoughts and feelings. They will determine the best course of action to move you along your mental health journey. If you’re exhibiting symptoms of a mental health condition that may be causing your suicidal thoughts, such as major depressive disorder, they may refer you to a psychiatrist for a diagnosis.
Psychotherapy is one of the best courses of treatment when you’re having suicidal thoughts. By talking to a psychotherapist, you can:
- Determine the underlying issues behind your suicidal thoughts
- Learn how to adjust your mindset when having negative thoughts
- Develop coping strategies for triggers
- Talk through difficult situations that may be causing suicidal thoughts
At Lightfully U, we provide a virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (vIOP), for college students who may benefit from further support beyond outpatient therapy. Lightfully U is a vIOP that can help you address and manage your mental health challenges, such as suicidal thoughts, so that you can continue to strive toward achieving your goals.
Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.
