As I listened to the haunting words of "Jumper," a song by Third Eye Blind about someone on the edge of taking his life, I thought about the recent suicide of a 27-year old doctoral candidate at Harvard. Tragically, his death was one of many on university campuses across the country in the last ten years.

Reflecting on this sad reality, I asked myself, What drives a successful graduate student with a promising future to such a desperate point, to believe there is no way out, and nothing to live for? I realize there are some factors over which we have no control. But I had to wonder if there were really enough messages out there telling graduate students that there is someone who understands and can offer support.

Grad Resources is dedicated to serving the needs of graduate and professional students, so we are very familiar with the high levels of stress facing many graduate students. We have always offered resources to help students manage the stress of graduate life. But now we have an opportunity to offer help at a student's point of desperation, before they harm themselves or another person. That's why we're sponsoring a national graduate and professional student crisis line, 1-877-GRAD-HLP.

Most students will never need to call a crisis line. But for the few who may, they need to know there is someone who understands. Let's get the word out. If just one person finds the strength to make that call and step back from the ledge, it will be worth it.

Nick Repak
Executive Director
Grad Resources