U Of T Students Are Demanding Better Mental Health Services After Death Shocks Campus
Students are crying out for reform in mental health services after another University of Toronto student suicide.
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Keshav Mayya, a member of the New College community, took his own life at an off-campus location on November 2, 2020, The Varsity reported.*
His death sparked an outcry from students who say that the school needs to better support the community mentally.
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Our mental health resources are inadequate, our mental health policies are appalling, and the responses from our university administration are absolutely upsetting.
The Arts and Science Students’ Union Executives
A student petition addressing the issue has currently collected over 700 signatures on change.org.
"Students have demanded for change in the provided mental health services for several years now. With its questionable accessibility, this has caused students to turn to other methods, with suicide- unfortunately- being one of such methods," reads an excerpt from the post.
The Arts and Science Students' Union also released a statement on the incident, slamming U of T for its "inadequate" and "appalling" mental health policies and resources.
After the student's death, the University of Toronto Students' Union released a list of mental health resources that students can access.
These include health and counselling services and emergency hotlines.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with thoughts of harming themselves, please reach out to a trusted peer, parent or health care professional. You can also contact a local helpline which is available 24-hours a day to talk. Or click here, for additional support resources.
If you need immediate assistance please call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest hospital.
Support is available.
*Editor's Note: This article has been updated.