I imagine that most of you are aware of the tragedy that took place in Peck Hall this week. For those uninformed, someone took their own life within the building. In light of what happened, I'd like to ask that we each take a moment to think about this person. I think that taking some time to process our own individual thoughts on the situation could be beneficial. My hope is that even a brief moment of reflection can provide some insight into our own psyche and mental status, as well as pay some private respects to the cohort that we lost.
Thursday, November 2, 2023
On the Peck Hall Incident
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I've never been remotely close to suicidal despair and can't quite comprehend it. What I would wish to have said to anyone ever contemplating it is what Jennifer M. Hecht said in her book "Stay"...
ReplyDelete“None of us can truly know what we mean to other people, and none of us can know what our future self will experience. History and philosophy ask us to remember these mysteries, to look around at friends, family, humanity, at the surprises life brings — the endless possibilities that living offers — and to persevere. There is love and insight to live for, bright moments to cherish, and even the possibility of happiness, and the chance of helping someone else through his or her own troubles. Know that people, through history and today, understand how much courage it takes to stay. Bear witness to the night side of being human and the bravery it entails, and wait for the sun. If we meditate on the record of human wisdom we may find there reason enough to persist and find our way back to happiness. The first step is to consider the arguments and evidence and choose to stay. After that, anything may happen. First, choose to stay.”
― Jennifer Michael Hecht, Stay: A History of Suicide and the Philosophies Against It