STANFORD, Calif. (KCBS) — Officials at Stanford University are speaking out in the wake of the highly publicized deaths of Cardinal women's soccer captain Katie Meyer and three other students over the last several months.
The school is also recruiting for additional mental health support positions, according to a statement posted to Facebook just a week after Meyer's passing. It wasn't immediately clear how many positions administrators were looking to fill or how they would be deployed.
"We want to acknowledge that these tragedies, against the backdrop of the pandemic and the outbreak of war in Ukraine, can feel especially overwhelming and unbearable," the statement said. "For all in our community who are suffering, know that whatever feelings are arising in you are normal and need time to be felt. There's no one way or right way to grieve, and we are here to support each other as we find our own paths to healing."
In response to KCBS Radio's request for comment, Stanford University shared a letter it sent to students on Friday. Vice Provost for Student Affairs Susie Brubaker-Cole and Athletic Director Bernard Muir wrote to students that Stanford would add "permanent clinical counseling and therapy positions" to Counseling and Psychological Services as well as the athletic department.
In addition to Meyer, whose untimely and shocking passing was later ruled a suicide, the university's letter and Facebook post referenced the recent deaths of students Dylan Simmons, Jacob Meisel and Rose Wong.
Wong died by suicide in an on-campus residence last year, according to The San Francisco Chronicle. The paper reported Meisel's death, which came six months later when he was struck by a train in Palo Alto, was ruled a suicide by the Santa Clara County Coroner's Office.
Simmons — a law student — was found dead in an on-campus residence in late January.
The school went on to call the group of Meyer, Meisel, Simmons and Wong "accomplished, loving students we will always remember."
In addition to "permanent clinical counseling and therapy positions" across several Stanford departments, the school's Student Affairs office "will be convening experts to consider what measures would be helpful beyond clinical support."
Meyer, starting goalkeeper and captain of the Stanford women's soccer team, was found in her on-campus dorm on March 1.
The 22-year-old Newbury Park, Calif. native helped lead the school to the 2019 NCAA women's soccer title and was part of two Pac-12 championship-winning teams.
"Over this difficult period, we have watched as the Stanford community has come together to help each other through the truly unimaginable," the statement concluded. "We are profoundly grateful for the strength you have displayed and your love for one another. Please spend time with those you love the most, and know that you are not alone. There is courage and strength in asking for or offering help with open arms and hearts."
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