http://www.canada.com/news/national/Student+death+cause+concern+Ottawa+University/1990487/story.html

Student’s death cause for concern at Ottawa University


By Gary Dimmock and Lynn SaxbergSeptember 14, 2009

OTTAWA — Students at the University of Ottawa looked up Sunday at a towering residence building from which a student, believed to be 20, jumped to his death a day before.

It was a clear, crisp sunny Saturday morning when the student plunged from a 15th-floor window as frosh week organizers below busied themselves setting up recruitment tables for clubs and events. Some students screamed as they saw the man fall; others scrambled for a first-aid kit. According to one witness, a firefighter was the first to come to his aid, giving the man CPR. He tried to revive the young man shortly after 9 a.m. The man died on scene.

At 9:24 p.m. Saturday, the University of Ottawa e-mailed students about what the school described as an “Incident at the Thompson Residence.” The e-mail to students reminded them they could call for counselling at “any time,” and assured students: “There is no basis for concern about the security or safety of other students or staff. This is a busy and challenging time as classes resume. It can also be a stressful period.”

The on-campus death has rattled the student body; by Sunday, the university was offering counselling. “It’s messed up,” said first-year student Dan Swadron, 18. He was in the cafeteria eating breakfast and had a clear view of the events unfolding outside. He saw the firefighter’s attempts to revive the man after his fall.

The death, just days into the start of the fresh university year, serves as a cautionary note and calls to mind a similarly tragic case across town at Carleton University in March 2008 when first-year student Nadia Kajouji, 18, jumped off a bridge into the Rideau River.

“Life in general can be stressful . . . You wonder if it ever got to that point, you’d think they’d want to talk about it (to a group) or at least to someone close to them,” Swadron said.


Iyad Kandalaft, a 22-year-old second-year biomedical engineering graduate student, said students are “curious and extremely saddened by what has occurred.” He added: “In my opinion, the administration is not openly discussing the details with students.”



According to Dr. Raj Bhatla, chief psychiatrist with the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, balance and sensitivity are required in any public discussion of such cases. “It’s a very tough situation because there needs to be the public discourse, but you can’t sensationalize or romanticize what may or may not have happened to an individual.”


Bhatla said it’s important to recognize the warning signs and be aware that anyone dealing with a change in life circumstances could be at risk. “There’s certainly information showing that whenever there is a change in environment, and stressful situations, those are general risk factors,” he said. “So, certainly something like starting university could be a stressor for someone who’s already somewhat vulnerable.”




The stress would be greater for someone coming to a new city or a different country, or if they left an established peer group, he added. Signs that someone may be depressed include changes in sleep patterns or appetite, unexplained illness or physical complaints, neglect of personal appearance and loss of interest in activities that one normally enjoys.

A person may also experience feelings of hopelessness or mood swings. The first thing to do if you suspect someone is depressed is to ask gently how they’re doing. “That’s the major thing to do because it’s a show of concern and wanting to help,” Bhatla said.

Ottawa Citizen

Any reason for saying this? Was this actually a case of bullying or were you making assumptions?

Any reason for saying this? Was this actually a case of bullying or were you making assumptions?

[quote]

[...]

Iyad Kandalaft, a 22-year-old second-year biomedical engineering graduate student, said students are “curious and extremely saddened by what has occurred.” He added: “In my opinion, the administration is not openly discussing the details with students.”


[...]

he doesn't deserve sympathy if he did commit suicide.


Anyone who doesn't value life do not deserve sympathy.