A year from which to learn

Death has been the sad theme of the past year at Boston College.  As I reflect on the events that have occurred and the subsequent responses, I find myself wondering if there is something we can gain from these tragedies.  It seems there could be more proactive ministry and support from the BC community.  I hope these events can open doors to help faculty and administrators understand with a little more clarity the great social and academic pressures felt by many of us students.  Hopefully, light will be shed on the tolls these stresses take on our mental, spiritual, and physical health.  I hope that instead of casting these deaths as unexpected and unrelated events, we can work to break down the stigma of depression and other struggles we may be going through.  I hope that more faculty and administrators will encourage students on a larger scale to reach out for support and that feeling overwhelmed or sad or “off” is justified.  We need to lift each other up.  Concern for our friends and classmates is out of love and we should try to overcome the nervousness and apprehension of asking, “Are you doing okay?” I hope those times of higher stress including midterms, finals and holidays will be accompanied by a stronger feeling of support and love from the whole community, after all, we are one, we are BC.