UPenn's Head of counseling and psychological services commits suicide

[Anonymous]

I know UPenn has had a lot of suicides, but this is really sad. Worked at Cornell for over 10 years and didn't last 6 months at UPenn? My daughter's friend is there and says the culture is depressing and toxic.

https://www.inquirer.com/news/unviersity-of-pennsylvania-death-psychological-services-20190909.html?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Philly.com+Facebook+Account&utm_source=facebook.com&cid=Philly.com+Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1ycqemlzmJC7_1dKDY7KjAwNtMwPtZiUZFwMBJn5jrJKOV7oSNCjPIMBI

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

omg

[Anonymous]

There is something wrong with that place.

[Anonymous]

Wow.

[Anonymous]

That's awful. I hope the university takes it seriously and takes their role in it seriously. His poor family.

[Anonymous]

Dang. How awful. Sympathies to his family.

[Anonymous]

The story of his mother describing him as one of the most upbeat people they know is so heartbreaking.

[Anonymous]

So tragic.

I’m not affiliated with UPenn, don’t have a kid who wants to go there or a true peer school (looking at SLACs) and generally do not GAF about it at all. But, it’s probably not fair to say UPenn’s culture killed him. A toxic environment can make underlying problems worse. But people don’t usually go from completely mentally healthy to suicide in 6 months because their job is miserable. Mentally healthy people find a new job. Something else was almost certainly going on. And high functions depression is a thing.

Also, I would hope no one was trying to gloat about a suicide because they have something against UPenn and it makes UPenn look bad. I’m sure no one on here would do that.

— a suicide survivor

[Anonymous]

That work is very draining. He was without his support network. So sad that professionals can't see the depth of their own suffering or follow their own advice. So common though, among physicians as well for example.

In his desperation, he probably did not consider how this impulsive act might impact his patients. But he was in no position to care for someone else . May he rest in peace, and may this change the culture at Penn (and among people who are driven to seek external validation of their worth...DCUM)

[Anonymous]

How terrible.

My nephew was at UPenn and transferred after the first year. He's at another ivy and much happier now. He cautioned my DD from seriously looking there. He never gave any specific reasons other than "it's depressing" and it "sucks the fun out of everything".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is something wrong with that place.

There’s a lot wrong at most of our schools.
Teen suicide is at an all time high.

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand blaming the school. Seems ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Jesus, what a tragedy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand blaming the school. Seems ridiculous.

Environment matters, from birth onward.
And yes, genes also matter.