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Sad events this week

Dear Members of the University Community:As many of you already know, Tuesday morning, a student was found dead outside McMahon Hall. The King County Medical Examiner has determined that his death was suicide. We are all deeply saddened by his loss, and our hearts go out to his family and friends in this time of inescapable sorrow. It is hard — impossible perhaps — to imagine his pain and that of his family, and as result, it is hard to know where to look for solace. It is a terribly sad loss, and a time for members of our UW community to come together and support each other.

Over the past few days, staff from the Office of Student Life, including psychologists, counselors and police, were at McMahon Hall providing assistance and support to students. They will continue to do so for as long as is necessary. During this difficult period, we want to remind you of the different services and resources available to the UW community, including professional counseling services for students, faculty and staff, including:

  • The Counseling Center, staffed by psychologists and mental health counselors, provides brief, confidential counseling and crisis intervention services to currently-enrolled UW students. For more information call 206-543-1240 or visithttp://counseling.uw.edu/
  • Hall Health Mental Health offers individual and group therapy, crisis counseling, medication evaluation and management services to students, faculty, staff and alumni of UW. For more information call 206-543-5030 or visit http://hallhealth.washington.edu/mentalhealth
  • Health and Wellness provides consultation, assessment and intervention services designed to assist students in times of need.  Health and Wellness works with students, faculty and staff in difficult situations to provide a safe and supportive response when multiple services are necessary. For more information call 206-543-6085, email livewell@uw.edu or visit http://www.washington.edu/provost/studentlife/healthandwellness/
  • UW CareLink provides confidential in-person assessment and short-term counseling for faculty and staff by local professionals for any issue that causes concern. For more information call 1-866-598-3978.

A number of off-campus services are also available in our community and may be found at http://www.washington.edu/safecampus/

The tragic events of yesterday have also been distressing for many of us. I am deeply grateful for our police and their significant behind-the-scenes efforts to ensure the safety of the university community during that period. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims of that unimaginable attack as well.

Please take advantage of these resources if you are in need of assistance.  And encourage your friends and acquaintances to take advantage of these services if you think they would benefit. This has been particularly stressful time in our community. Please take good care of yourself and each other.

Sincerely,

President Michael Young's Signature Eric Godfrey signature
Michael K. Young Eric Godfrey
President Vice President & Vice Provost for Student Life