I was extremely disappointed to read the Charlatan’s reaction to Jamie Hubley’s death by suicide.
In the several articles and letters about it, there wasn’t a single mention of the depression and mental illness Hubley fought for years.
Hubley was clinically depressed, he was on anti-depressants, and he was seeing therapists.
He had also previously been hospitalized for his depression.
Yes, bullying played a part in his suicide. Yes, we need to speak out against harassment and discrimination. But there is more to this story.
After car crashes, suicide is the leading cause of death for people aged 10 to 24, according to the Canadian Psychiatric Association.
Just try getting an appointment with Carleton’s Health and Counselling Services — I had to wait nearly a month for a first assessment despite being so severely depressed I couldn’t get out of bed.
That should give you an idea of the magnitude of the problem.
This was an opportunity for the Charlatan to start a conversation about the debilitating effects of mental illness.
We need to do more to fight the stigma.
We need to be able to talk about it so we can help those like Hubley who are struggling.
Raising awareness is the first step.
I’m frustrated the Charlatan didn’t take any initiative on this important issue.
—Sarah Clark,
third-year engineering