PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — Suicide is now the second-leading cause of death for college athletes and the rates doubled over 20 years, according to a new study published by the University of Washington this week.
The topic of mental health and suicide prevention is talked about frequently to hopefully help certain college athletes find the help they need.
The study looked at data for over two decades from 2002 to 2022. It found 1,102 student athletes died between those years and of the student athletes, 128 people died by suicide.
On average, the athletes who died were 20 years old.
The proportion of suicide deaths doubled from the first 10 years of the study (just over 7.5%) to the second 10 years (just over 15%), while other causes of death in this population decreased.
"A lot of people believe that college athletes have protective factors around them ... they're part of a team, and they have medical providers that are looking in on them, and they have a lot of support," said Bridget Whelan, the lead author of the study. "And this study is showing that they are equally as susceptible to having this issue."
The study also found that suicide among males occurred 77% of the time. The rates more than doubled during the 20-year span they looked at. Among female college athletes, suicide rates increased as well from 2010 onward.
"I think that there's a lot of additional pressures that they may be facing. So much of their identity as an athlete is graded on performance," Whelan said.
Researchers point to the rise of social media as a possible contributing factor to the startling statistics.
"It is very hard to talk about the things that a lot of us should probably be talking about. Being able to find the person that you can trust to share that with is that extra step that just becomes harder," Whelan said.
Reese Widman, who went by Widdy, was a fierce competitor on the mound and a loving kid at home.
Reese is no longer alive, but his legacy lives on. His parents Kelly and Corey are proud to share his story.
"How do you describe the indescribable? I mean, he was just an outstanding individual," Corey Widman said about his son.
His parents said he had been struggling for some time and they saw no warning signs. He was on medication for epilepsy and his mom said the side effects impacted him.
"He didn't feel like he could reach out for help because he was a very proud person and very strong and didn't want to seem weak or a burden to somebody," Kelly Widman said.
One night last January, Reese took his own life. He texted his parents goodbye.
"One of the quotes in his letters was, 'Do what I couldn't do and get help,'" Corey Widman said. "He apologized in the note. He hid it so well."
While Reese wasn't a college student yet, he did commit to play baseball at Pierce College. His parents said they were saddened to hear the findings of the new study from UW.
"For the rates to have doubled in 20 years, we have to make a change," Kelly Widman said. So, Kelly and Corey Widman are taking action.
They started a foundation in Reese's name and have multiple scholarships available. They also hold a baseball tournament to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention.
"It's OK to reach out if you are struggling and you are in that darkness. It's OK," Widman said.
They said they don't want any other family to feel their loss and pain.
"We are proud of him. He's a great human. Always will be very proud," Kelly Widman said holding back tears.
To learn more about Widdy's Work, click here.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 for the 24-hour Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or visit Vibrant Emotional Health’s Safe Space.