Important information on grief support

Dear students,

This has been an incredibly heartbreaking and challenging week for our community. We are writing today to provide important information about resources that are available to support you as we enter the weekend. We’ll also answer questions we have been receiving from you and provide new information on long-term plans to further expand counseling services. We as a community are mourning the loss, over the past year, of Rose Wong, Jacob Meisel, Dylan Simmons and Katie Meyer. All were accomplished, loving students we will always remember.

We are additionally challenged by the outbreak of war in Ukraine, with the further loss of life and the displacement of millions, which has personally impacted some of our own students, faculty and staff. And then yesterday, the Santa Clara County coroner confirmed there was no indication of foul play in relation to Katie’s passing and determined she died by suicide.

We – Susie and Bernard – have watched as our students have come together to help each other through the truly unimaginable. We are profoundly grateful for the strength you have displayed and your love for one another. A memorial service was held today for Dylan, and a vigil was held Wednesday night for Katie’s friends and teammates. We will also work with Katie’s family if they wish to plan an on-campus memorial service for her; we will share more information as it becomes available.

How to get help now

These services are available to all students, for any need, including with any of the losses we’ve recently experienced:

My friend group/residential group/club/team/class needs help. What’s available for us? The university is helping student groups and communities to process grief by offering facilitated grief processing groups. We are doing this now and will be expanding capacity over the weekend and into next week. Please request a grief processing group tailored to your group’s needs by providing more information here.

What is the wait time at CAPS? There is no wait time if you’re in crisis. You can call CAPS at 650.723.3785 any time, including nights and weekends, or you can come in during regular business hours. If you’re not in crisis, you can schedule an initial appointment by calling the same number, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Here’s more information on CAPS.

Are there other options for clinical mental health support? Yes. In an effort to increase mental health resources for Stanford students this year, CAPS is offering an additional therapy option via a new one-year pilot program called WPO. Students can receive up to 5 free virtual therapy sessions (or in-person sessions if wanted and available) with a therapist, paid for by CAPS. WPO clinicians can also provide single-session therapy right at the time of your call. Here’s more information on WPO.

Are there other sources of support available here on campus or locally in Palo Alto? The Office for Religious and Spiritual Life (ORSL) offers pastoral care and spiritual guidance and can be reached at 650.723.1762. Well-Being at Stanford offers individual coaching, academic courses and customized consultations, training and workshops. Allcove Palo Alto offers free or low-cost counseling to young people up to age 25.

I’m having trouble getting my classwork and research done. Is help available? We encourage you to email your professors and your academic advisor for help. Faculty members are aware that students are concerned about meeting deadlines, taking final exams, or being able to attend class. If you are an undergraduate, we also encourage you to speak with your Undergraduate Advising Director. If you are a graduate or professional school student, please contact the Graduate Life Office.

I’m looking for something I can read online about losing someone who died by suicide. For answers to key questions – What’s the right way to grieve? Was it my fault? How will talking about this help me? – check out this web resource for young people from The JED Foundation.

Long-term plans

Many have asked what the university can do to make counseling appointments more quickly available. Drawing on additional funding provided recently by the Provost’s Office, Stanford will be adding permanent clinical counseling and therapy positions to both CAPS and the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation. We will begin the recruitment process immediately. Student Affairs will be convening experts to consider what measures would be helpful beyond clinical support.

Please reach out for help

While we are doing all we can to reach out to everyone who needs a hand, we with all of our hearts urge anyone we have not reached to please ask for help now or at any point in the future. Many people who love and cherish you are here and ready to help.

You can reach out to our Resident Directors (for undergraduates), Graduate Life Office (for graduate and professional students), Dean of Students Office, faculty members, coaches and academic advisors to talk and for referrals. Resident Assistants, Ethnic Theme Associates and Community Associates can also help with referrals. You can contact CAPS directly. Here’s a web resource summarizing all university services available to you.

As we begin the weekend, it is our fervent hope that each of you will spend time with those you love the most – your friends, your family. Let them help you. Check in, share a meal, walk together, appreciate good company and celebrate small joys. All of us are feeling a deep and profound sense of loss. Please know that you are not alone and that there is courage and strength in asking for or offering help with open arms and hearts.

Sincerely,

Susie Brubaker-Cole
Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Bernard Muir
The Jaquish & Kenninger Director of Athletics