How will you spend your Thanksgiving break?
Today's issue includes coverage of the apparent student suicide in Bobst Library early yesterday morning. Our editors worked hard to get this difficult story, and we're proud of what they've done. However, today's story is the last time you'll see WSN reporting details of the student's death.
As human beings and as reporters, the natural reaction to the death for many of us was to find out his name, find out what his friends had to say and find out what led to his death. But when we paused to think about the nature of the story, we realized that perhaps that wasn't the correct path to take.
We feel that responding to the suicide of a classmate with extravagant coverage — especially at a university with a history of multiple suicides — could act as a trigger for those who are already in danger of hurting themselves. When deciding if we should pursue the private details behind the tragedy, our concern for prompting "copycat" suicides stopped us.
After the tragic death of an NYU student in the fall of 2007, Dr. Christopher Lucas, an NYU professor and suicide prevention expert, described "copycat" suicides as "clusters" that happen among people who are already at risk of taking their own life.
"The tendency for reports to say what a great kid this was and how unexpected and surprising this was — although all those things may be true — reinforces the image that people are going to say nice things about you when you die, and that if you're having trouble, that suicide's one way to buff up your image," he said in 2007.
Certainly, the news of this student's death saddens us, and his life is worthy of a loving tribute or obituary. But we believe that tribute belongs in a more private arena, reserved for his family and friends.
Perhaps the most appropriate memorial would be if we worked to prevent similar tragedies — worked to convince students who are feeling vulnerable to ask for help. As NYU President John Sexton wrote in his universitywide e-mail yesterday: "Your life is filled with promise … you are loved, and there are many people at hand ready and willing to help you."
If you are concerned for yourself or for a friend, contact NYU's Wellness Exchange 24 hours a day at 212.443.9999 or wellness.exchange@nyu.edu. The number for the free, 24-hour national suicide prevention lifeline is 1.800.273.TALK. No one should deal with suicidal feelings alone.
