Stanford Pledges Increased Mental Health Support

PALO ALTO, CA — Stanford University said Tuesday that it will be expanding its mental health resources in the wake of several student suicides.

The university said in a Tuesday Facebook post that it has begun recruitment for additional permanent clinical counseling and therapy positions in both its counseling department and its Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation. Its Students Affairs department is also convening experts to consider measures that may be helpful beyond clinical support.

The announcement comes in the wake of the suicide of Katie Meyer, a resident assistant and the captain of the Stanford women’s soccer team. Meyer was described by Stanford Vice Provost for Student Affairs Susie Brubaker-Cole as ``extraordinarily committed to everything and everyone in her world," and a "larger-than-life team player in all her pursuits," and her death caused an outpouring of grief and tributes.

The university is planning a tribute to Meyer on Saturday in the high school field in Newbury Park where she used to play soccer, the university said.

The university also acknowledged the suicide of medical student Rose Wong, engineering student Jacob Meisel, and law student Dylan Simmons. It added that the addition of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine are creating widespread mental health challenges.

“In addition to Katie Meyer, a Resident Assistant and Stanford Women’s Soccer captain who died by suicide on March 1, we continue to mourn the recent death of Dylan Simmons, as well as the deaths of Jacob Meisel and Rose Wong, who passed away in 2021,” the university said. “All were accomplished, loving students we will always remember. We extend our deepest condolences to their family and friends.

“We want to acknowledge that these tragedies, against the backdrop of the pandemic and the outbreak of war in Ukraine, can feel especially overwhelming and unbearable. For all in our community who are suffering, know that whatever feelings are arising in you are normal and need time to be felt. There’s no one way or right way to grieve, and we are here to support each other as we find our own paths to healing.”

Students can call the counseling center 24/7 at 650-723-3785. Additional mental health resources can be found here.

There are several other resources available for those contemplating taking their own life and/or those who know someone who is:

• HELPLine - 24 Hour Crisis/Suicide Intervention The HELPline is a free, confidential Crisis/Suicide Intervention service. Operated by highly trained volunteers, the line is open 24-hours a day, seven days a week.Phone: (951) 686-HELP (4357)
• Veterans Crisis Line The Veterans Crisis Line is a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) resource that connects Veterans in crisis or their families and friends with qualified, caring VA professionals. Confidential support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Phone: (800)-273-8255 Press 1
• The Trevor Lifeline National organization providing crisis and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) Youth866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386)

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Related:

• Stanford Women's Soccer Team Captain Dies In On-Campus Residence
• SoCal Native, Stanford Goalie Found Dead: Tributes Pour In