OSU deploys mental health task force after two people fall/jump from Ohio Union
Update: Ohio State President Drake has established a mental health task forced after two people fell/jumped from the Ohio Union South parking garage within four days.
Campus police have also stepped up their presence in the area.
The task force, lead by Dr. Eileen Ryan, interim chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, will improve mental health resources and practices at Ohio State University, research national best practices, then report back to President Drake with recommendations within 60 days, reports The Dispatch.
“These incidents have been shocking to our community and truly heartbreaking for the families, friends and loved ones of the victims,” wrote President Drake in a statement. “I know you join me in offering support and condolences. The safety and well-being of our university community is — and always will be — our first priority.”
He also added a reminder to the campus community to call 911 if someone they know is harming themselves or anyone else.
A message to our Buckeye community: pic.twitter.com/v8C654cfXB
— Michael V. Drake (@OSUPrezDrake) April 10, 2018
On Sunday, Kelly Denlinger, 35, a former student at Ohio State who last attended in 2007, fell from the Ohio Union South garage at around 3:30pm and is reportedly in critical condition at the Wexner Medical Center.
Daniel Birdsall, a 19-year-old sophomore, died after falling from the same garage.
It’s unclear whether they intentionally jumped or accidentally fell.
In February 2017, 19-year-old Madison Paul, a pre-med major, died after jumping from the same garage.
Her death was determined a suicide.
04/09/2018: OSU is investigating after two people have fallen from the same Ohio State parking garage in only four days.
On Sunday around 3:30pm, a woman was found on the ground outside the Ohio Union South garage.
The woman, a former OSU student, was transported to the Wexner Medical Center and was alive but in critical condition as of late Sunday night, reports The Dispatch.
On Thursday, Daniel Birdsall, a sophomore criminology and criminal justice major, died after falling/jumping from the same garage.
Ohio State is characterizing it as a fall but initial 9-1-1 calls were made because of a person possibly threatening to jump.
In February 2017, another student died after falling from the Ohio Union South garage. Her name was Madison Paul and she was a freshman studying neuroscience
Ohio State is investigating what safety measures should be taken at the parking garage.
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