This article discusses topics of suicide and mental health. Reader discretion is advised.
The larger part of the student body attending the University of Tennessee will tell you that it is the greatest place in the world — and they are 100% correct.
For what seems like the small majority who might feel differently, there is a lot to be asked of their opinion on this matter. How could you be unhappy when you are in the greatest place in the world?
Struggling with mental health in college is extremely common. With numbers growing each year, students struggling with depression, anxiety or even questioning taking their own life is at an all time high.
When thinking about students who struggle here on campus, the initial thought of taking their lives stems from several different factors, not just their educational environment. Students might have come to college with certain struggles, and when paired with the fact that they are away from familiar faces and resources, they might face immense internal challenges.
Unfortunately, suicide is something that can happen on any campus at any time, and it will never get easier to hear about. When students hear about suicides at UT, it almost feels rare, but there is no doubt that it hits close to home.
What if this was a friend of a friend or a person you had a class with and never spoke to — or what if they were in your grade? Seeing someone in the same shoes as you puts a lot into perspective and leaves an impression on a Vol’s heart, no matter the details.
However, the discussion of suicides that have occurred on our campus — our home — almost feels nonexistent. We might pass out fliers that act as resources throughout campus with numbers and hotlines, but are we really advocating for suicide prevention and mental health support effectively?
Whether it be an attempt to respect the victim and their family or to shield our school’s reputation, there are more conversations that our school’s leaders need to have on our campus.
Why aren’t we talking about it?
To our community’s knowledge, a suicide in Stokely Hall garage occurred last semester, and this semester, a student was found in the Tennessee River. Because of the very public setting of these suicides, there was no way that it could be ignored, right?
I remember going to classes after the Stokely incident happened. None of my professors mentioned it, except one, who I thanked after class for her outspoken bravery. A planned death happened moments away from us from one of our own, and it was almost like we were expected to turn our heads and carry on as usual. This is not to say that all classes and campus activity should come to an immediate halt because of an untimely and tragic incident. Still, anything seems better than ignoring it altogether.
It is important to note that this is not about getting the “drama” or being nosey to investigate the incident. When any death happens, regardless of the details, it is common courtesy to respect the family and any other individuals involved. Names, details and unnecessary information are public because Jane Doe wants to know, which is absolutely unnecessary.
We are not entitled to anyone’s damages.
The larger importance here is that someone took their life, and not spreading awareness about suicide and related themes could very well be another struggling student’s last straw.
While our administration did not speak on the incident, or maybe were not allowed to, it does not mean that they didn’t want to. As I mentioned previously, one of my teachers offered resources and condolences after the Stokely incident, and I am sure more administration wanted to. There is a fine line that I am still investigating what is OK and what is not OK to discuss. As very few professors have spoken about this topic, I am confident that this incident was not ignored by the student body. Everyone was talking about it, questioning it — seemingly everyone except the higher-up individuals who did not seem to have answers to give.
I remember some of my peers being dumbfounded that a formal statement — or at least an acknowledgment — was not sent out to us. Were we imagining this?
This led me to question how many other suicides or similar incidents might have occurred that weren’t in such a public place and how easy it might have been to sweep it under the rug.
The following information was obtained from anonymous sources who do not have any involvement in this story at this time. If sources wish to come forward, this article will be updated as necessary.
Shortly after the suicide, I attained information that shook me to my core. A professor here on our campus, one of the very few and brave, spoke up about the Stokely suicide, or in this case, questioned it. The professor asked their students how many suicides they think have occurred at UT in the past semester or even the past year. Guesses were thrown around, but nothing could have prepared the students for the answer.
More than once in the past academic year, someone on this campus felt strongly enough to end their life, and it felt as though it wasn’t important enough even to mention it or honor the student anonymously. This is a scary number and one that might have been significantly less if a conversation about additional resources or awareness had been made a priority.
It is hard to think that our campus wasn’t made aware of this, which unfortunately makes me question if the school’s concern was preventing a damaged reputation. This would make sense, as incoming freshmen would not necessarily be thrilled about the fact that multiple suicides have occurred on our campus.
However, suicide can happen at any time on any campus. While not to excuse the severity of these incidents by calling them a decision, factually, they are, and they should not influence the entire outlook of our incredible school’s reputation. I think most people would know that, and if more awareness were raised, it would significantly benefit our student body’s well-being.
Aside from various unexpected and unplanned tragedies that can happen on a college campus, there are very particular protocols that are put into place when it comes to suicide that are not always known to the public and our student body.
A key rule of thumb is not sharing names or personal information. The family, and only the family, should have all the information — not the public. Matters are handled privately, and UTPD will cover any and all aspects of the aftermath. This protocol is only for ethics and legal factors, not a response.
According to a prevention and crisis response resource for schools (ages in this context vary), “the first course of action is to make sure this news is true… (and) immediately confirm the death of a student.”
While this may not be UT’s exact protocol, it is important that this was the first statement in this versatile guide. Additionally, it is important that nothing about identifying the student was necessary but acknowledging the situation to clear up rumors and misinformation was advised. The text goes on to say in terms of a crisis response, schools can “help students cope with their feelings… [and] minimize the risk of suicide contagion.”
The protocol for suicide aftermath at UT is not made public. However, there were alternative resources for prevention. In November of 2018, UT partnered with the JED Foundation, a nationwide nonprofit organization that promotes mental well-being and suicide prevention in teens and young adults.
Additionally, the website has an entire page dedicated to looking for signs of suicidal intentions, coping with mental illness and aiding others in seeking help.
The list of resources that UT offers is extensive in numbers. However, they are once again found only on a website or a flier. There is not anything being said about the suicides that have happened or what someone affected by them should do to cope — even in the student conduct book.
If a student contemplates taking their own life, they could gain peace of mind seeing awareness and repercussions of what happened to someone who actually chose to go through with it and could rethink their decisions. An email, for example, offering condolences and listing resources would be a tremendous and positive help to most of our student body.
In situations like these, most students do not seek answers but rather seek closure and acknowledgment. One could argue that we are not entitled to closure, as the suicide was an individual action and had nothing to do with us. However, this concerns the student body, and not offering closure or acknowledgment is incredibly damaging.
This should be a required duty of the administration at UT, regardless of whether their reputation will be “damaged.”
Respect can be granted and given to the victim’s family while still acknowledging damages that occurred on a campus we pay to attend.
Whether it be an email or announcement, I think that our professors should at least be required to acknowledge a suicide if it happens and to offer resources. A professor acknowledging an incident like this would assure students that they didn’t just hear a rumor and that they are not being kept in the dark.
A small communication from anyone in charge could do so much.
As Vols, we are undoubtedly lucky to attend a place that is so beautiful inside and out. Over the past decade, the rise of interest in attending our school has skyrocketed and will only continue to grow. Keeping the incoming students and current students in mind, we must be there for each other and keep the conversation about mental health going.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, please reach out to 865-974-2196 for immediate and confidential student life resources at UT.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to correct an error in the amount of suicides that allegedly happened last academic year. An anonymous professor had told students in their class that 12 students had tragically taken their lives. This is not true. In the past academic year, only two students had taken their lives, but six have passed total for reasons unrelated to suicide.
A follow up to this article is in the works to clarify any misleading information.
Ansley Graves is a junior at UT this year, studying journalism. She can be reached at [email protected].
Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
Opinions editor Ansley Graves says, "Respect can be granted and given to the victim’s family while still honoring damages that occurred on a campus we pay to attend and nevertheless, be protected and accounted for."
