Remembering Columbia Students Lost to Suicide

Join us Friday, May 8th from 4-7pm to remember the lives of Columbia and Barnard students who passed from suicide during their time as a student here, and have a conversation about how we as college students can speak up about mental health struggles.

This event does not intend to glorify or put undue focus on how these students died. Rather, we want to remember their lives—what they were passionate about, what they were involved in on campus, what their hopes and dreams were—with the knowledge that although some of us never knew them, they're still one of us. As the end of the semester and graduation rapidly approaches, let us remember our fellow community members who we wish were there to celebrate with.

As we remember and learn about the lives of these students, we also want to acknowledge the present-day context of rising mental health struggles. At a school as rigorous as Columbia, students are often under a lot of pressure and feel discouraged from asking for help. We want to bring attention to the importance of talking with each other about our mental health and reaching out and leaning on our community members.

We are immensely grateful to St. John the Divine for hosting this event. This event will include some Columbia chaplains for support, but is not affiliated with any religious denomination.

We are also planning on collaborating with both mental health organizations and the loved ones of these students who died by suicide.

The cost to attend is pay as you wish. The first $200 of proceeds will go towards necessary costs for the event. The remaining 80% of the proceeds will be split between The Trevor Project and The JED Foundation, two organizations that support youth suicide prevention. The remaining 20% will be donated to St. John the Divine.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Emma Burris