Support NeoGAF

[DeepEnigma]

The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill announced that Tuesday classes would be canceled for its 30,000 graduate and undergraduate students after campus police investigated a possible suicide and what they believe was an attempted suicide over the weekend.

In a letter to the university, UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz said that the school was in the middle of a mental health crisis, noting that college-aged students “carry an increased risk of suicide.”

“This crisis has directly impacted members of our community – especially with the passing of two students on campus in the past month. As chancellor, a professor and a parent, my heart breaks for all those whose suffering goes unnoticed,” he wrote.

Guskiewicz explained that the decision to make Tuesday a “Wellness Day” had been informed by conversations with student and faculty leaders over the weekend.

“Classes will be canceled. I encourage every student to use this time to rest and to check in with each other during that day. Reach out to a friend, a classmate, or colleague and ask them, ‘honestly, how are you doing?’” he urged.

Spoiler: Twitter Link

In addition, the chancellor said that UNC would create a “special support network” starting Tuesday and throughout the week – drawing on the university’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Department of Psychiatry and School of Medicine and School of Social Work – and convene a “mental health summit” later in October.

“Faculty, staff, students and campus leaders must work together to address this national crisis,” said Guskiewicz.

In the coming weeks, the leader said that the Heels Care Network campaign would be launched to promote and support mental health awareness, in which people can report information about someone they believe needs help.

“The most important thing we can do is to care for each other, and I hope you continue to do this on Tuesday and for the rest of this year and beyond. Remember, our caring Carolina community is our best asset to get through this crisis together,” he concluded.

Students are encouraged to contact Counseling and Psychological Services, the Dean of Students team or Student Wellness and faculty and staff support are advised to reach out to the Employee Assistance Program.

According to WRAL, parents are holding a rally in support of students at UNC’s The Pit on Thursday between 11 a.m. EDT and 3 p.m. EDT and the UNC’s Faculty Executive Committee met on Monday afternoon following the incidents.

The Daily Tar Heel said Sunday that it would be operating on a “reduced schedule.

The station said that the UNC police department’s crime log showed that investigators had gotten a call for an attempted suicide at Granville Towers South around 3 am on Sunday and the death of a student living in Hinton James Residence Hall on Saturday morning.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Suicides have increased since COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, the agency reported.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, 24/7.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or the Crisis Text Line (Text START to 741-741).

UNC Chapel Hill cancels classes amid suicide fears, mental health crisis

The university said it would create a special support network for students, faculty.

nypost.com

 

[belmarduk]

Good for them.

 

[synchronicity]

Achievement/competition culture has run amok. To be clear, there's nothing wrong with attempts to better yourself, but when self-worth is attached to culture-wide measuring sticks that devalue personal worth outside the realm of accomplishments in career/financial "success", especially in relation to some arbitrary standards or in relation to your "peers", you've got a real poison soup on the spoon. People don't feel valued if they don't "measure up", and that's a real shame. Everyone has a great deal to offer, even if it's not always visible in terms of plenty of black on the ledger. But we've become a culture that, broadly speaking, values money and "success" above all else. We see the results in the youth (and others) succumbing to these pressures.

 

[kunonabi]

I highly doubt these suicides were related to such stress and the people that do give a shit about their education to any considerable degree will just spend the day studying anyway.

 

[LordCBH]

You’re canceling class for 30,000 people because two people decided to check out? The fuck? It’s sad sure but this is just weak as shit.

 

[Deleted member 1159]

I highly doubt these suicides were related to such stress and the people that do give a shit about their education to any considerable degree will just spend the day studying anyway.

You’re canceling class for 30,000 people because two people decided to check out? The fuck? It’s sad sure but this is just weak as shit.

Ah, I see two of our resident mental health experts have already checked in, let’s see how many we get on the first page.

The pandemic has been a shit show for kids, nothing wrong with giving them a break.

 

[dr_octagon]

it's easy for some to see it through a lens of not a serious issue or inconveniencing others. these challenges should be addressed for the wellbeing of the individuals and community at large. covid has amplified some of the difficulties face by students.

it's one day to highlight the importance of mental health and no doubt people will be aware of people who have taken their own lives due to pressures (not just at university). it shows commitment to providing support and having the conversation will help those feeling isolated.