EPIDEMIC OF SUICIDES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19563, 16 February 1927, Page 11

EPIDEMIC OF SUICIDES.

STUDENTS ?N AMERICA. ELEVEN CASES IN TWO MONTHS, jßeceived Feb. 15, 6.15 p.m.) A. and N.Z. NEW YORK, Feb. 14. , There has been an epidemic of suicides ; among young students at. American universities and high schools during the past eight weeks. These have shocked the I nation. The series of tragedies came to a head when a young college man shot himself t yesterday, after writing a despondent note. His death was followed by the suicides , of three . High School students to-day, p making. a total of 11 cases in the two . months. Several of the students were members j of prominent families, and lived in com- ; fortahle homes. s One of them left a message saying he j was going on a "glorious adventure." An- ; other said he committed suicide because I he believed he would become a burden t on his friends. p. ■ A third wrote that, be feared he was 3 going out of his mind. _ A fourth committed suicide after he had taken part in an amateur theatrical performance in a school auditorium, where he had been received "with great applause. The most affecting case was thai of a son of a noted American poet, Mr. Louis , -{Tntermeyer. This boy killed himself shortly after his father had paid him a visit. . .