The clock is ticking, sweat is pouring down your forehead and the professor is carefully watching the students taking the tests. It's finals week, a dreaded time when students cram as much information into their heads as possible and try not to burn out until they complete their semester exams. There isn't much you can do about stress. At this point it's inevitable. The stress placed on students while attending college has caused an increase in the number of suicides as well as an increase in cases of depression. Why suicide? Why is it becoming an increasingly common method of escape from the academic, financial, and transitional burdens placed on college students? Depression and suicides among college students make more headlines than the more familiar problems of alcoholism and vandalism occurring on campuses. Suicides are a dramatic way to relieve stress or depression. Although suicides are quite rare, they are still the third leading cause of death of individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 (suicide rate and troubled economy). There are many reasons why these mental health problems are on the rise and why they will continue to occur (Depression, increase in suicides among college students). Academic pressure is one of the most obvious reasons why suicides and mental illnesses such as depression occur in many undergraduate institutions. Most universities have become, and continue to become, more competitive every year. This stress alone can very quickly send the smartest student into a spiral of depression. Not only is there the pressure of peer competition, but there may also be tremendous pressure expressed by parents as well (Depression, Suicide on the rise among college students). Culture shock is another fact... middle of paper... ....emergency response programs. It is critical that today's college campuses foster an atmosphere of support and open dialogue about mental health issues. Without help, some students will see suicide as the only way to escape their emotional pain. Works Cited “Depression, Suicide on the Rise Among College Students.” Student life. Network. February 28, 2011. Peterson, Karen S. “Depression Among College Students on the Rise.” News, Travel, Weather, Entertainment, Sports, Technology, US & World - USATODAY.com. May 21, 2002. Web. February 28, 2011. "Suicide Rates and the Troubled Economy." Star of the Valley. Network. 01 March. 2011.