According to the Center for Collegiate Mental Health, for the seventh year in a row, college counseling centers report an increase in the number of students seeking treatment who represent "threat-to-self."

According to the Center for Collegiate Mental Health, for the seventh year in a row, college counseling centers report an increase in the number of students seeking treatment who represent "threat-to-self." / Flickr

Amid the stress of college finals last semester, two Georgia Tech students died by suicide. National data indicate the problem is not unique to one school. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among college student, and about 1 in 12 students has a suicide plan, according to the National College Health Assessment.

Georgia Tech has been working to address mental health concerns on campus, allocating millions of dollars to expand resources.

Third-year student Collin Spencer has advocated for those efforts as director the Mental Health Student Coalition. He joined "On Second Thought" in studio for a discussion about campus culture and changes he hopes to see before graduating. 

"On Second Thought" host Virginia Prescott speak with Collin Spencer and Barry Schreier.

Barry Schreier, director of the University Counseling Service at the University of Iowa and communications committee chair for the Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors, also joined the conversation. He explained the national scope of this problem and told us why exactly students are more stressed, depressed and anxious now than ever before.

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