Sucking heavily on a cigarette, Hong Qiankun's father signed a cremation application form for his 26-year old son. The young man's father was shaking and tears were streaming down his face.

Students seek advice at a mental health counseling center in Beijing in this undated photo. [file]

Hong committed suicide by jumping from the seventh floor of an apartment. He left a simple note for his family, "I am not a good son. I cannot find a job. I will be a burden to you someday."

Hong's father says his son, a post-graduate at the prestigious Tsinghua University, died from depression.

According to experts, 60 per cent of university students who ended their own lives did so out of depression. Depression has become the leading cause of death among university students, writes the China Youth Daily on November 27.

Nine students have committed suicide in Beijing in 2006 so far. In 2005, the number was 15. In 2004, 19 students committed suicide, according to the paper.

"Three months before his death, Hong was found to have a mental disorder," an anonymous intimate schoolmate of Hong told the paper. "Doctors diagnosed himself as slightly depressed and advised him to go to a hospital for treatment."

His schoolmate attributed Hong's death to unbearable social pressure.

"He may have thought that even as a Tsinghua University student he would not be able to find a satisfactory job on the employment market."

Chinese students are facing mounting pressure when they graduate from China's thousands of Ivory Towers due to an influx of students who also expect to join the work force.

The number of university students has increased by 750,000, rising to 4.13 million. A total of 1.24 million will fail to find a job in 2006, state media reported.

Wang Gang, deputy director of the depression treatment center at the Capital University of Medical Sciences affiliated Beijing Anding Hospital, says his center has seen an increasing number of university students turning to doctors for help. .

"At least half of these students are in danger of committing suicide. Some have attempted but failed," says Wang.

Tang Denghua, professor at Peking University's National Center for Mental Health echoed Wang in terms of the deteriorating situation among students.

"Seventy per cent of students who have suffered from depression have thought of putting an end to their lives." Tang says.

Unlike Hong, Xiao Yu (alias), a student from Renmin University of China is definitely one of the lucky ones.

"When I was in high school, I would injure myself using a stapler or a knife to cut my arms," Xiao told the paper. "When I was admitted to the university, I became easily distracted and unable to concentrate."

"The reason I don't do anything irrational is because I care about my mother, who has been divorced from my father," says Xiao.

"There are three things that can bring on depression. Sociologically speaking, pressure generated from studying, employment and personal feelings can cause it. Psychologically speaking, the disorder is related to a person's character. Biologically speaking, it may be some nerve problems that likely cause the disorder," says Tang.

Traditional concept of mental disorders hinders treatment effort

Most Chinese traditionally do not regard psychological problems as physical disorders. This view is thwarting efforts to track and treat depressed students as well as preventing future tragedies.

Xiao Wu (alias), a student from Renmin University suffers from depression. But unlike many of his counterparts, Xiao is much more active in sports and belongs to school unions.

"In my mind, it is not necessary to tell others about your mental problems. Others cannot drag you out of your situation. Only you can," says Xiao.

Yang Jiaoli, a teacher from the University of International Business and Economics psychological counseling center expressed concern that students' traditional concepts of mental disorders prevents those suffering from depression from getting the treatment they need.

"Students seeking help is an indication that their situation is not that grave. I am worried about students whose situations are more serious and are refusing to seek treatment. We have no way to find these students," says Yang.

Ma Xiting, director of the consultancy center at Bei Hang University says some students are afraid to tell others about their situation and learn about it through libraries, books and the Internet.

Concerns for their future often result in a student's lack of openness in discussing his or her symptoms, and refusal of treatment.

Li Zhanjiang, chief physician of the Beijing Anding Hospital says some students ask doctors not to record their symptoms.

"They worry their medical records will hinder their future plans, such as joining the Party, finding a job, pursuing a higher education or developing relations with others."