Greensboro's David Hagan spreads message of support to college students

Youth suicide rates have been increasing in recent years and college campuses have not been immune to the trend.

Data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services shows suicides among those aged 10-18 more than doubled between 2011 and 2020.

Last academic year, seven students at North Carolina State University took their own lives — and the majority of youth suicides are males.

David Hagan, an N.C. State graduate himself, is doing his part to address the problem. 

He’s started a nonprofit called LifeBrothers. Hagan travels to college campuses, speaking to various fraternity chapters and having one-on-one visits with students. He wants to help people become more comfortable being vulnerable and sharing their troubles with one another.  

Hagan, a Greensboro resident who works in commercial real estate, says being the father of two boys motivated him to get involved in addressing suicide — and substance abuse — among college-aged men.

"At the time, my boys were seven and eight. And it just, it just came over me I’m like, ‘David, the top two reasons you might lose one of your precious sons in college are both self-inflicted,’" he said. "And I just said, ‘That’s not acceptable.’ And it haunted me for about a year.” 

Hagan’s LifeBrothers organization recently added a female-focused program called LifeSisters. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal ideation, you can call 988 to access the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or find help online at https://988lifeline.org/.