RALEIGH, N.C. — A fourth N.C. State University student died by suicide this semester, the university confirmed last week. The death led one student to call for immediate change and action.

Spectrum News 1 talked to a graduate program student Tuesday, who was on campus posting flyers about these suicides just two weeks after putting up messages on previous suicides. 


What You Need To Know

  • N.C. State confirms a fourth student has died by suicide this semester

  • Graduate student Benjamin Pulgar-Guzman is leading a student wellness forum Wednesday night

  • Pulgar-Guzman spent Tuesday morning posting flyers about the suicides around campus

Benjamin Pulgar-Guzman is on a mission focused on mental health. He says the school isn't doing enough, leaving him no choice but to lead his own battle against suicide.

“We were not expecting it, and I think we're still in shock to be honest with you," Pulgar-Guzman said.

Last week, N.C. State confirmed a fourth student suicide this semester.

“We’re dying like our students, the students we teach, sit next to the consequence of all this is death," Pulgar-Guzman said.

Just two weeks ago, Pulgar-Guzman posted 300 flyers around campus with the words, "Are the 3 deaths by suicide in 3 months not enough?"

Tuesday, he crossed out three and changed that number to four. Some students were already doing it for him. 

“Good, look at that, someone changed them. I think people are angry," Pulgar-Guzman said.

This is personal for Pulgar-Guzman, who grew up taking care of a brother struggling with mental health issues and suicidal ideations.

“It's taught me what love and care look like," Pulgar-Guzman said.

There are also QR codes on his flyers.

The codes on the freshly printed flyers will take you to a GroupMe with more information on a student wellness forum, Pulgar-Guzman is planning for Wednesday night.

“I and others would love to have faculty there. We want parents there, we want the student government there," Pulgar-Guzman said.

That student-led wellness forum is set for 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Witherspoon Student Center.

Pulgar-Guzman says a recent university wellness day wasn't enough and says the university needs to be more transparent when it comes to mental health and suicide.

In a statement, the university says it's "pouring every resource we have available into reaching our students in need and providing them support and guidance. Our staff and medical professionals are working around the clock to help steer students to the many resources currently available, and we've asked our new student mental health task force to develop additional short-term and long-term strategies to help our students."

The university adds the Academic Success Center provides free programs and services to all students.

Spectrum News 1 has reached out to N.C. State to learn more about the resources available to students on campus. The university says they have a list online of mental health and other supportive services for those in need. 

Resources and services are also available for anyone who needs them through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 and the Crisis Text Line, text HOME to 741741.