The Colorado State University community is reeling over two 18-year-old freshmen students who were found dead in their dorm rooms in separate incidents during the month of October.
The Coloradoan identified the students as Nikita Krasko, who died of hanging in his dorm room, Durward Hall, on Oct. 12. The other, Amelia Sundblad, died in her dorm room at Westfall Hall on Oct. 23. Sundblad's cause of death is still under investigation.
“It’s the second one this month, so it’s kind of … I mean people are just pretty somber at the moment,” an unnamed student told CBS4. “She was a sweetheart," the student said about Sundblad. "She was always smiling. That’s why it’s so shocking.”
KDVR reports that Colorado State University President Tony Frank sent out a a heartfelt note this week, addressing the tragedies and noting that law enforcement authorities believe "neither death involved foul play.”
"Ask for help when you’re hurting," Frank wrote in the letter. "Take care of yourselves and each other -- and tell someone when you have concerns for a friend who’s struggling. Understand and never forget that you are important and have value, not just to your families and our University community but to our world.”
A report from the National Mental Health Association indicates that over the past 60 years, the overall rate of suicide among adolescents has tripled. It's now the third leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds and the second leading cause of death among college-age students.
If you or someone you know needs help during a crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-TALK (8255) or visit their website for more information.
Source: Matt Ferner, Huffington Post
