Let Suicide Be Wake-Up Call

The death of a first-year graduate student two weeks ago is a real tragedy for the entire Harvard community, and should serve as a wake-up call for us all to examine our educational and social environment. Unfortunately, this is not the only such incident in recent years; let us work to make it the last.

In our grief, we should carefully reevaluate the culture and pressures students often face, enabling us to take real steps to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. There are many resources on campus which can help students address personal challenges and difficulties. Mental Health Service, the Bureau of Study Counsel, In Common, Room 13 and Response, in addition to friends and family, can provide great help for those who seek them out. But they can do very little to help those who suffer in isolation. Students should not be discouraged, whether openly or subtly, from seeking help. No one should be made to feel like a failure for seeking out assistance.

Harvard should help us overcome our difficulties, not cause them. University support networks are necessary, but should not serve as a band-aid for underlying institutional imperfections. We must care what all members of the community experience and believe, listening to their ideas and humbly and unselfishly implementing appropriate solutions to address any problems.

Throughout this institution, significant and avoidable stress are happening every day. Some victims are more able to deal with them than others, so we may not all hear about them as often as they occur. But we must all stand up for the rights and responsibilities of every member of our community.

We must all be conscious of how our words and actions may affect others and be sensitive to different viewpoints and backgrounds. Even if we do not mean a comment or action to be taken personally, be aware that it sometimes may be.

Students, faculty, and staff must all be responsible for their actions and be held accountable for their behavior when it goes over the line. Too often, problems remain hidden with many victims suffering in silence and others choosing to leave. Tragically, a few students are so affected that they give up their dreams or even their lives.

As we enjoy the enormous benefits and high quality of this university, we must be aware of the stresses it can put on all of us, both personal and collective. The tragic events of two weeks ago should remind us that not everything is perfect. But working together as a community, we can and must openly address our shortcomings to enhance the academic and personal experience for all of us. Our commitment to excellence demands nothing less. --Adam P. Fagen,   president, GSAS   Graduate Student Council