Suicide at UMD college park today

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is heartbreaking to hear this news. I just saw that a student at another college (where my son was formerly a student) took their life yesterday. It must be the time of year when stress becomes overwhelming.

I was in a terrifying position with my son about this time last year when I realized that his depression and anxiety had caused him to completely shut down. As a family, we made the difficult decision that he should withdraw from school and come home. My son still has a long way to go to address some of his issues, and on paper, most of DCUM would look down on the path he has chosen. However, I am grateful that my son got help and is with us today. Personally, I am a little proud of myself too for waking up to the fact he lacked the tools needed to persist and that sometimes, the path forward requires stepping back.

I hope that all students and their families who are struggling get the help they need and see hope on the horizon. Obstacles like romantic disappointments and academic failure can be overcome. Death is permanent.

Please know you are doing the right thing. My friend’s son was having issues at his college and he called his parents and told them that he was severely depressed and they immediately got in the car and drove hours to get him and kept him on tbe phone. He decided to leave college and spent the rest of the year in therapy and applied to another college that was a better fit. He just graduated and is doing fine. He was fortunate to have parents who didn’t judge and got him help. I wish the best for your son. It gets better.

[Anonymous]

My UMD junior told me this tragic news today. He said his friend saw emergency personnel at the scene. My heart breaks for this person’s family. 🙏

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sadly, hours later, no statement from the University. This is really hard on students and staff. Heartbreaking.

They may not have been able to contact the family yet. They may also be making sure they have resources in place to support students as part of the statement.

And it is delicate.

Too much attention or homage to the victim is thought to be risky (ie can cause a “contagion” effect). The media are warned about this also .

[Anonymous]

So deeply sad to hear this tragic news. My heart goes out to the family. It especially resonates for us as our son is a freshman and also lives in Ellicott Dorm right next to the Stadium - and is also suffering from severe depression and has had a very rocky start to his first semester at UMD at a social and academic level. We are very worried because he has said things like “I feel worthless”. We are doing everything we can to help him. I just hope the University will respond to this tragic event in a way that enhances and raises awareness of the anguish of depression and takes more proactive steps to help students suffering from depression.

[Anonymous]

Looks like Jeff deleted the link to "snbc13" which is a fake news / spam / plagiarism site.

[Anonymous]

Students—- however you feel— others have felt that way. I promise. You're not alone.. If you need someone who can help you, text HELP to 741741– the crisis text line can help you through the moments you think you cant go on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: It is horribly sad, I am not sure if this is an appropriate thread on this board.

It’s not. Imagine if it was your child and people posted what they did including taking a picture.

Nobody posted about what led up to it. And there are no pictures. The links to Twitter were simply links to the news to say this is what happened.

All of us on this site have students. Whether in high school or college. This is some thing that could happen to any one of us. It's just a reminder to check in with your kids. Make sure they are OK.

This. My heart is breaking for the family and friends. For all the kids struggling.

We are all struggling in our own ways.

It breaks my heart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This literally made me cry. I feel for the person who died, their family and the whole UMD community. My D had a suicide at her school last year and even though she did not know the girl, it was hugely impacting. We cannot underestimate how this affects the other students.

This is absolutely awful and I feel so much devastation for the family of this student. My son also experienced a suicide in his high school senior year about this time last year. It was devastating when a 10th grade girl took her life. My son awoke this morning in Ellicott to sirens and his window I faces the rear side of the stadium. He didn’t want to look out the window and wasn’t aware at the time what happened. So sad. 😞

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: It is horribly sad, I am not sure if this is an appropriate thread on this board.

+1

[Anonymous]

My son too is in ellicott hall. So sad. I think they have counselors there for them. At least that's what he told me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So deeply sad to hear this tragic news. My heart goes out to the family. It especially resonates for us as our son is a freshman and also lives in Ellicott Dorm right next to the Stadium - and is also suffering from severe depression and has had a very rocky start to his first semester at UMD at a social and academic level. We are very worried because he has said things like “I feel worthless”. We are doing everything we can to help him. I just hope the University will respond to this tragic event in a way that enhances and raises awareness of the anguish of depression and takes more proactive steps to help students suffering from depression.

My son is on the 3rd floor of Ellicott facing the stadium and is very upset by the news, especially with it being right in front of his building. My son is a freshman as well and has made some wonderful friends on his floor. This has helped adjust socially and feel a bit less homesick. Wish I could have my son reach out to yours and help in some way. If he comes to the RA on the 3rd floor, maybe that would help your son (if he is still having difficulty adjusting). I know mine would be happy to be a supportive friend. It’s obvious from these threads that many kids are having a difficult time coping with the stresses of everyday life. Our kids need to know that they are not alone. My heartfelt prayers and congratulations and condolences to this student’s family, friends and loved ones. Now, I’m going to check on my son!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I appreciate that the University has not released any details and has provided counseling resources near the dining hall this evening. I have a daughter who lives in Centreville Hall and I’m staying in close contact with her tonight. We lost my sister to suicide this summer. Neighbors posted inaccurate details about her all over Nextdoor and Reddit even before any of us were notified. It was so awful. I appreciate the respectful tone of this thread and that no one is trying to post any identifying details.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Anonymous]

I want to add, my son is in ellicott hall. I feel this is absolutely appropriate for this thread. It is a serious issue facing freshman students. And they have so much on their shoulders. So much in the news. My son is pretty resilient and mature, but last week even he was having some struggles. At this age it's tough to see a light that may feel so far away, and all.parents of freshman, even parents of those more resilient, need to understand that the world and college is different from when we were in school. I see such a tremendous amount of pressure put on freshman. Idk, just think as parents we need to notice, even if your young adult child has never struggled wuth depression before

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: It is horribly sad, I am not sure if this is an appropriate thread on this board.

I disagree. Events like this can deeply impact students, and it's important to talk about these situations. My DD at another school already texted me about this, having heard about it from her friends at Maryland. Word spreads

Plus it goes to show that having your kid focus on getting into the Top universities, getting perfect GPA, taking 10 APs, getting 1600, could lead to kids being extremely stressed out and concerned they are not "good enough". The stresses they put themselves thru (and parents add to many times) in HS often continues in college. Add in a bit of depression or bad experiences and it can tip a kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So deeply sad to hear this tragic news. My heart goes out to the family. It especially resonates for us as our son is a freshman and also lives in Ellicott Dorm right next to the Stadium - and is also suffering from severe depression and has had a very rocky start to his first semester at UMD at a social and academic level. We are very worried because he has said things like “I feel worthless”. We are doing everything we can to help him. I just hope the University will respond to this tragic event in a way that enhances and raises awareness of the anguish of depression and takes more proactive steps to help students suffering from depression.

Please go to your son, take him out for food, sit with him and make sure he is okay. He's already giving you warning signs that he's struggling. Offer to bring him home for a few days if needed, make sure he's really okay