"What has changed is the type of students who want these tools, " Ms. Wixom said.

WSJ: Business Schools Plan Leap Into Data

On her 21st birthday in December 2005 the urges became so intense that Wixom checked herself into a hospital for a week.

FORBES: Medicine's Suicide Problem, Part 1

Alexsandra Wixom started experiencing uncontrollable bouts of sadness when she was 15.

FORBES: Medicine's Suicide Problem, Part 1

But after her last hospitalization Wixom was referred to University of Washington psychologist Marsha Linehan, one of a handful of researchers who specialize in suicidal patients.

FORBES: Medicine's Suicide Problem, Part 1