Two NC State students died by suicide within 24 hours; counseling services to be offered Friday
North Carolina State University confirmed another student's apparent suicide on campus Thursday, meaning two probable suicides have occurred on State's campus over a 24-hour period.
Sullivan Residence Hall, along Thurman Drive on State's central campus, was the center of the investigation around a student's death on Thursday afternoon. The student's name is not known.
NC State police, a medical examiner and forensic teams responded to Sullivan Hall around noon.
The news of a second death came hours after the body of Ben Salas, a student-athlete, was found in the woods near Lake Raleigh on Centennial Campus late Wednesday night. The death would be the seventh apparent suicide for a NC State student since August.
The university said Thursday's occurrence marks the 14th death of an NC State student since the school year began on Aug. 13. Information provided to WRAL News showed 10 of those students who died were male. Eight students who died were enrolled in the College of Engineering.
NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson released a statement on the matter on Thursday afternoon.
"This is heartbreaking, and I know there’s little I can say to console the deep hurt or heal the immense grief felt by the family and friends of these young people and others we’ve lost this year," Woodson said. "What I can say is that I, along with so many caring members of our community, share in this grief."
"Please take extra care of yourselves, keep an eye out for each other and be on the lookout for those around you who might need help. Don’t be afraid to intervene if you think a friend is struggling, and please don’t feel ashamed if you’re struggling."
NC state offers counseling services for students
From currently taking final exams to preparing for graduation, many students are already dealing with heavy loads.
"Feeling the pressure from all areas to get it together and to get a job and get out there, it’s a scary world," says Nathan Sprinkle, NC State student.
On top of a demanding deadline, Sprinkle, a senior, is now processing the sudden shock of losing two students by apparent suicide in a matter of 24 hours.
"My stomach dropped," said Sprinkle of hearing the news. "It drops every time. It's really tough to hear."
All too familiar with this type of situation, Sprinkle says this hits close to home.
"I lost my brother to suicide," said Sprinkle. "He was a freshman at Appalachian State University, and it's been eight years now, so that's something I take seriously."
Students and staff have held vigils for other members of the Wolfpack family who have taken their own lives.
NC State Police Chief Daniel House shares concerns over suicide contagion. In which a scientific concept that after one person takes their own life, others in the community may be at higher risk.
"We are absolutely worried about that. I think the university has taken a stance," House says. "We are worried about that; we are working on projects and programs to help."
Julia Massarelli, licensed clinical mental health counselor, shares the importance of finding effective ways for communities like NC State to grieve properly.
"We cannot pretend it didn't happen, "said Massarelli.
Emotional support dogs were there to comfort the campus community, and the university is offering mental health therapy for students at Caldwell Lounge on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.
"We need to get dirty and talk about this stuff," said Massarelli. "Sometimes the person who is not well is relieved because it is scary."
Ben Salas was award-winning member of NC State rifle team
Salas was on the school's air rifle team, according to its website. He was a junior in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The school said he lived off campus.
"Anytime we have a member of our community, or any community, that takes his own life, it's tragic," said police chief Daniel House.
House said the university is working on programs and projects to help students that may be contemplating suicide.
The Tampa native won gold in Junior Men’s Air Rifle at the 2022 Rifle National Championships. NC State announced on March 21 that it was discontinuing rifle as an NCAA sport after the 2022-23 school year.
On March 30, West Virginia University rifle coach Jon Hammond announced that Salas would be joining the school's rifle team for the 2023-24 academic year.
Salas recently celebrated his birthday on March 6.
Apparently a tip came in that he was making a threat to himself.
WRAL's Eric Miller talked to someone who said they heard reports of a woman screaming for help in the woods.
A police drone located his body near Lake Raleigh around 10 p.m. on Wednesday.
Series of suicides has shaken NC State
An 89-page report released by the university's Student Mental Health Talk Force cites a 2019 study that showed more than 4,000 students reported they had suicidal thoughts.
Despite the university's efforts to combat the rise in student deaths by suicide, the NC State community is mourning the loss of yet another student.
If you're having suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Veterans can press “1” after dialing 988 to connect directly to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should continue to text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.
