Universities nationwide have been facing a growing epidemic of mental health crises as well. The number of college students seeking treatment for depression and anxiety has continued to rise over the past several years, according to the Center for Collegiate Mental Health at Penn State.

Experts have said that some of the increase may be driven by successful efforts to reduce the stigma surrounding mental-health issues and counseling. But they also pointed to a rise in stress levels on college campuses exacerbated by social media, increased academic rigor and a larger sense that a degree may not guarantee long-term economic stability.

In one study, researchers at Harvard Medical School found that one in five college students in the United States reported having thoughts of suicide in the course of one year.

“We used to think that if you got a college degree at a decent school, you could have a pretty reliable middle-class lifestyle," said Dr. Victor Schwartz, the medical director of the Jed Foundation, an advocacy group working to prevent suicides in teenagers and young adults.

The current generation of college students “don’t feel that sense of confidence,” Dr. Schwartz said.

While suicide statistics do not track the number of deaths by suicide that occur specifically among college students, data from the American College Health Association suggested that the rate of suicide attempts had increased in the last few years.

Adding to the concern at colleges was the risk of a suicide contagion. Research has shown that multiple suicides can occur close together, both in time and place, Dr. Schwartz said. The risks were slightly higher among young people living in close quarters, such as small towns or close-knit university communities.