One in five college students contemplates suicide during the job-hunting process, according to a poll of students conducted in July by the nonprofit group Lifelink.

Among students in four-year universities, graduate schools and vocational colleges, the stress from job hunting has become so extreme in recent years that many students find themselves isolated, anxious and in such weak mental health that they consider suicide.

According to police statistics, job hunting was listed as the reason for suicide in 149 cases last year, more than the double the number in 2007.