The suicide of a student is one of the most difficult things a university could ever face.
It’s also one of the most difficult topics for a student newspaper to cover.
When staff members at The Post first heard the news that Terrence Ambro, an OU freshman studying history, had died Sunday evening, we struggled with how to respond.
For some, the first instinct was to react as human beings and as OU students — with shock, sadness and sympathy, and with the desire to share that sympathy with others.
But we had a challenge to face: covering Ambro’s death in a journalistically ethical manner.
So although Twitter and Facebook broke the news several hours before we did, we had to wait.
When whispers that Ambro’s death had been a suicide began circulating around Washington Hall and became a social media roar, we knew we had to step carefully.
Now, though, a top-ranking official — Ohio University Police Chief Andrew Powers — has said Ambro’s death appears to be a suicide.
By reporting that fact, do we detract from his life? Do we detract from the fact that he was a freshman who decided to come to OU to study history? Do we detract from the fact that he was the type of person who, in his first few weeks of college, had become a close friend to his neighbors living in Washington Hall?
We hope not. But we do hope that continuing to cover student deaths in this manner, as we have in the past, will remind those on Ohio University’s campus that suicide can and has happened here. We just hope they will be more willing to talk.
We encourage students who are having a difficult time adjusting to college, who are upset about something that’s happened to them, or who are bothered by something but don’t know what it is to just talk. Talk to someone you trust. Talk to a counselor. OU has them; use them. They’re available 24/7 if you call (740) 593-1616.
Students, faculty members or staff who observe someone who seems to be having a hard time: Don’t ignore it or uncomfortably sweep it under the rug. Encourage them to seek help and equally importantly, let them know someone cares about them.
Terrence Ambro won’t soon be forgotten. Every person who posted something about him on Twitter or Facebook this week made it clear that they care. And now, as time passes, the phrase “Bobcat Family” shouldn’t be reserved for tragedies.
Don’t underestimate the effect you can have with even the smallest motion. If a conversation needs to happen, it should happen. No family should have to receive the phone call Terrence Ambro’s family received Sunday night.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Post’s executive editors.
