Seeing the budget numbers behind the University’s mental health and anti-suicide measures helped illustrate the sharp contrast between the Cornell of today and the Cornell of less than a year ago. As The Sun nears its last issue of the calendar year, we feel the need to reflect on how much has changed since the student suicides of February and March, which would go on to set the stage for a much deeper look into mental health at Cornell.

Upon returning to East Hill from last Spring Break, many students were surprised to see the newly constructed bridge barriers. The chain-link fences that obscured the views of Ithaca’s signature gorges were initially met with distaste from many, and even drew comparisons to prison bars. But the general sentiment among those unhappy with the barriers was that the fences were a stop-gap — a temporary, if disagreeable, measure enacted in response to a “suicide cluster” or “suicide contagion.” There were those in the Cornell community who supported the fences and those who opposed it, but few foresaw that nine months later, the University would have run up a steep tab on the planning and construction of permanent bridge barriers. And even fewer thought that such a plan would be met with considerable student and community-member support. Such support is indicative of the effect last semester’s suicides had on the Cornell community; and while there is legitimate opposition to the fences, the widespread acceptance of the bridge barriers shows just how high of a priority safety and mental health has become. Even the City of Ithaca — which has the final say on the barriers and is not beholden to the University —  has exuded tremendous flexibility and cooperation by agreeing to compromise its natural beauty for the sake of safety.

But while it is profound that the bridge barriers have been accepted by the majority of the community, the focus on so-called “means restriction” has taken away from the real issue: mental health. Of the $575,000 spent so far in response to the suicides, $350,000 has been spent on the bridge barriers, while $150,000 has been spent on mental health counseling. This disparity is a bit misleading, as a large, one-time project costs considerably more than bolstering Gannett’s counseling and mental health services. However, mental health is the most important aspect of the response to the suicides, and funding for counseling services should reflect that importance. Gannett should have the funds and resources to meet the demand of students seeking mental health support — something that it is, regrettably, unable to do at this time.

In a sense, however, the unmet demand for mental health has a silver lining. It may indicate that the stigma around asking for help and seeking counseling has been eroding. Though this demand is clearly a problem that needs addressing, it is worth noting that more Cornell students are receiving more hours of counseling from more Gannett counselors, and this can only produce an improvement in overall mental health on campus. 

However, there is always more to be done. Students organizations and the administration have already taken it upon themselves to promote an atmosphere of support and caring. To achieve long-lasting change, they must continue their efforts even as undergraduates cycle in and out, and the memories of this year’s student suicides fade. It will take more than a few months of passion and activity to create a campus where individual faculty and students alike acknowledge that encouraging communal mental health is not only within their ability, but expected of them as members of the Cornell community.