Student Death

\tDeath, although inevitable, is always an occasion to pause, reflect and mourn. While death touches all, its impact is keenly felt when a passing occurs in a community as small as UB. The tragedy is compounded when a young victim takes his life despite the promise in higher education of a brighter future.
\tZachary Emerton, a 19-year-old freshman, was found lying on the floor in his Wilkinson dorm room Sunday evening. The emergency medical teams responding to the call determined the student was deceased, a death ruled a suicide. In a letter appearing in todayOs Spectrum, Danielle Wilbur, a friend of the student, described him as a good person, Oalways keeping a smile on his face while masking his inner pain.O
\tThe Spectrum extends our deepest condolences to EmertonOs family and friends as they struggle with this tragic turn of events. While nothing can be said on our part to assuage their tremendous grief, we can only offer the sympathy of a group of students who have suffered through different tragedies in our lives.
\tWhen confronted with an incident like SundayOs, questions abound as to why a tragedy like this occurred and how possibly it could have been prevented. While EmertonOs mindset at the time of his death will never be known, it can be surmised his action was not taken because of a lack of caring individuals around him - the outpouring of grief and memories of those closest to him illustrate that while he lived, he was surrounded by people who loved him.
\tThe university has set up a number of support services to assist students in dealing with the aftermath of this tragedy. In addition to assisting with services set up the night of the incident, the UB Counseling Center and Campus Ministries are willing to help students cope with the emotions surrounding the loss of a friend and fellow student. Joseph Krakowiak, director of University Residence Halls and Apartments, pledged in an e-mail to students living on campus that the RHA staff will support students Oanyway we can.O
\tPart of being human is the ability to learn from pain. Every tragedy, regardless of scope or proximity, yields lessons to prevent them from happening a second time. The emotional and psychological conditions leading up to the final act of suicide are complex and often develop slowly over time, invisible at first and difficult to diagnose. According to the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, however, four out of five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warnings. Among the signs to look for are talk of suicide; obsession with death; an overwhelming sense of guilt, shame or reflection; or a severe drop in school performance. If a friend, roommate or classmate exhibits any of these signs, encourage him or her to talk and listen attentively, trust your instincts, seek professional help and alert key people in his or her life.
\tNumerous resources are available for support in such matters. UBOs Counseling Center (645-2720) exists so students can receive help before it is too late. Staffed around the clock, Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services (834-3131) deals with a host of issues from the aforementioned suicide prevention to victims of abuse and violence. Religious organizations such as Campus Ministries (645-2998), Hillel (835-3832), the Lutheran Campus Ministry (688-4064) and others are also valuable resources in times of turmoil.
\tWhile suicide is relatively rare, the loss of one person unnecessarily is one too many. Five thousand young people between the ages of 15 and 24 take their lives every year and suicide is the second leading cause of death among college-aged students. We must all do our part individually to help those who are crying out for much-needed support.