<p>WeAreFive, I can’t tell you how sorry I am for the misunderstanding. The information you are trying to disseminate is important and will hopefully save lives. Thank you.</p>
<p>parent1986, It is so easy for misunderstandings to take place even in face-to-face communications, let alone in an on-line forum. No worries. You made a good point, and one that is so tragic: yes, there have been many suicides on campuses since that of Elizabeth Shin, and many more lawsuits brought by parents who were not called after an attempt was made on campus. A lawyer told me that the law (and attitudes toward suicide decedents) will likely not change for ten more years: that, sadly, represents a lot of human suffering on the part of the families left behind and a huge cost to society. That’s why I think we can’t depend on case law to set policy, so I’d like to see if I can try a different legal channel. Oh, and the quote by John Donne was a favorite of my son’s: it has been interpreted to mean that humanity is interconnected, and I believe, as my son did, that this is true: for better and for worse, we are all in this together. It is precisely that I don’t want this to happen to you or anyone you know that I wrote. All the best. Take care.</p>
<p>[Additional</a> Stress Reduction and Prevention Resources - Stress Reduction and Management](<a href=“http://www.gulfbend.org/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=15688&cn=117]Additional”>http://www.gulfbend.org/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=15688&cn=117)</p>
<p>WeAreFive, I am also sorry for your loss. I also like the quote your son liked. Your posts are informative. I wish you the best.</p>
<p>This is very sad. My sympathies to the families and friends.</p>
<p>WeAreFive - I am truly sorry for the tragic loss of your son. I also appreciate your continued efforts to change FERPA laws so that parents will be informed when their child is at risk. My daughter is currently at MIT and following the recent bombings and killing of the MIT Officer on campus she had a very difficult time emotionally. She had been volunteering at the finish line of the Boston Marathon all day but left the scene about 20 minutes before the explosions. When Officer Collier was killed a few days later she was locked down in a nearby academic building for hours while the campus was being searched. Her pain from the tragedies was palpable over the phone. We were lucky that she reached out to us, to her friends and to grief support counselors but I understand that you can never predict if or when a young person may give up and walk away from help. I didn’t think she was suicidal and I was right, but I ended up flying to Boston to spend several days with her just to give us both some stress relief. I had to see her myself and make sure she was OK because I know the school’s hands are tied when it comes to releasing medical information to a parent. I think your efforts to change FERPA laws in life and death situations is highly commendable. Thank you.</p>
<p>This is a very sad situation…but this thread is almost two years old.</p>
<p>What does the age of a thread matter, thumper1, when there is pain and a subject relevant to the thread’s topic (parents’ fears of emotional state of their children while at college and best way to deal with that) and a parent wants to share that? bellevuemom, I’m glad you did what you thought best for you and your daughter. I hope your daughter continues to heal from the horrific events in Boston. I grew up and went to higher ed in the Boston area and can’t tell you how much I ached for those killed and injured. I hope and pray, too, that those who witnessed the events and those who live in the area, especially those who knew the deceased or injured, can continue to reach out for help if they find themselves in distress from these events. (Your daughter was exposed to a lot, unfortunately.) Each one of us reacts to these events differently. Those in closer proximity to the events are at higher risk of post-traumatic stress. Your daughter sounds as though she is in good hands, and I trust that MIT is providing good counseling and outreach to their students during this terrible time. It may be wise for her to continue to self-monitor for signs of stress, and, of course, you sound like a parent who will tell her that you will listen to her if she feels comfortable sharing with you. I am very glad to hear she has that support. Rest in peace, Officer Sean Collier.</p>
<p>WeAreFive,
You are never far from my thoughts. </p>
<p>Belle, I’m glad your daughter was open to your coming for a visit. I offered but my son declined. I believe it is better to be open with one’s feelings of distress than otherwise.</p>
<p>WeAreFive, I am so sorry for your loss; my heart aches for you. The topics you raise in this thread are important and I commend you for making positive changes for the well being of our young people. Thank you and best wishes to you.</p>
<p>bellevuemom, I’m sure it will take some time for many from the MIT and surrounding communities to be fully healed from all the tragic events. I wish your daughter peace and comfort.</p>