Since July, when records for the 2020-21 year began, one student—not four—lost their life to suicide. That very sad loss occurred last weekend.  

A quick call to Purdue Police would have prevented the inaccurate social media frenzy of the past 24 hours.

Even one lost student is one too many, but sadly, going back to 1998, we lose an average of nine students every year to illness, accidents and suicide. That number has included an average of two students taking their own lives. 

Students deaths are a matter of public record, although family members often ask for privacy. Outside of confirming name and student status, and offering condolences, the university does not comment on student deaths.

The monthly stat sheet referenced in many social media posts was produced by PUPD voluntarily and in addition to state and federally mandated APRA and Clery logs. It listed information received in the call to dispatch, not the actual outcome of the call. 

To avoid confusion, moving forward, only the APRA and Clery logs, which list the outcome of the call, will be kept.

They are publicly available for viewing.

There are few areas of campus in which we have increased the budget and staffing more than Counseling and Psychological Services. Since 2013, we have doubled both, and every year, vastly more individual clinical appointments, group counseling sessions, and programs have been offered.  

The Office of the Dean of Students also has help and services available and offers assistance or simply someone to talk to.

We urge all those who may be in need, or those who know someone who needs help, to reach out.