In this letter to the editor, the authors discuss suicide among students at Beijing University. Earlier in 2007, five suicides happened within a period of 8 days – the deaths coincided with official statements from the Ministry of Education on the relatively low rate of suicide among Chinese university students. The effect of the one-child policy on young adults & their impulsivity & inability to withstand negative life events is discussed. Problems with the accuracy of suicide data & the lack of mental health services for students are also described. (5 refs.)