The transition from home to college can be difficult, and many students come to Texas Tech alone with few or no friends. Old friends may quickly become involved in new activities offered by Tech, leaving some students on their own in a very intimidating environment.
"Lots of studies show Americans feel increasingly isolated," said Jason Wasserman, a professor of sociology at Tech.
Wasserman said the average American changes jobs approximately every three years. Because of moveS for work, people often have to sever ties from home by moving away from their established friends and family.
"Coming to college is a microcosm of those isolating patterns," Wasserman said. "You leave home, your family and community. Being thrust into a situation where you lack any strong, emotionally rich social ties can produce depression and other mental health consequences."
Chris Brownson, director of the National Research Consortium Counseling Centers in Higher Education, said a survey of students at 70 public and private universities in the country indicates about 50 percent of college students considered suicide at least once in their life.
Brownson, who also is the director of the University of Texas at Austin's Counseling and Mental Health Center, said about 18 percent of students surveyed defined themselves as having at least once seriously considered committing suicide. Eight percent of students said they had attempted suicide at least once.
Brownson said there were some differences in the numbers from every school, but it has not been determined if a school's location or a student's hometown make a significant impact on students' likelihood to consider suicide
Wylie Tene, the spokesperson for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention said via e-mail the suicide rate for college students is low, especially compared to college-aged persons not attending school.
Despite the lower rate, Tene said nearly 1,100 college students commit suicide every year.
"Depression is the leading cause of suicide," she said. "Depression is a real illness. The best way to prevent suicide is to recognize the symptoms early and seek treatment."
Loneliness was reported as the second leading cause of students who considered suicide, according to the survey,
"Having a sense of community and purpose can help students feel more connected," said Courtney Knowles, executive director of the Jed Foundation, which focuses on mental health issues suffered by college students.
"Those connections may make it more likely that they will reach out to a friend for help if they are struggling," Knowles said.
Waylon Randolph, a junior sociology and criminology major from Houston, said he considered several student organizations, but rushed in the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
"I felt real alone at least for the first two weeks of college," he said. "I didn't know anybody here. It was a whole new atmosphere. Rushing Alpha Phi Alpha opened up doors for me to meet a lot of people that I wouldn't have normally met from different cultures and backgrounds."
Many Tech students become involved in social, religious, professional and school spirit organizations.
"I'm in Saddle Tramps," said Jacorey Mosley, a junior marketing major from Arlington. "We uphold all of Tech's traditions. It's a great group of guys, it keeps us focused on making grades. It could be three in the morning and someone would be there to listen to your problems. Any organization will help you. There will always be someone there for you."
Greek life has always been a popular starting point for students seeking to carve a niche for themselves. Jason Biggs, adviser for the Texas Tech Inter-Fraternity Council said 538 males and 700 females enrolled for formal fall 2008 rush.
"I've met a lot of great people and (Kappa Delta) helps me get involved off and on campus. That helps you keep your mind off home," said Claire Waddell, a sophomore early childhood development major from Plano in the Kappa Delta Sorority.
Carrie Bradshaw, a freshman mass communications major from Sundown took advantage of a Jed Foundation Retreat before school started with other first year Tech students and a group of student counselors.
"I haven't felt lonely because I met a lot of people at the foundation retreat," Bradshaw said. I hang out with a lot of people that I met from there and I'm probably going to become a part of Navigators which is a Christian organization that does community service work and takes mission trips."
James Baumgartner, Student Government Association internal vice-president and a member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, said he did not start his college career with such a thick resume.
"My freshman year, I didn't pledge a fraternity," Baumgartner said. "I wasn't too involved with my major either. My cousin was in student government and convinced me to try it and that allowed me to start branching out from the people immediately around me."
Baumgartner said he believes participating in student organizations is vital to the college experience.
"There are 28,000 students to meet and you're only meeting a tiny portion if you're not involved," he said.
Students who feel depressed or suicidal or concerned about friends can seek help at Tech's Student Counseling center.
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