More From Donald Greeley

I am glad to have a chance to follow up on my devotion for today. Cambridge University has a centuries-old exam system that places great importance on a single exam given to students in two, three, or four parts over the course of their education. In order to receive their degree, students must pass at least two parts of the exam. You can imagine the pressure on students to do well and the enormous consequences for students who fail. Their plans for the future could be shattered. I wish I had spoken to the student I saw sitting on a bench with his head in his hands. I hope he did all right. 

I am reading Jamie Raskin’s book in which he describes in tragic detail the events leading up to his son’s recent suicide. His son had been struggling with depression but seemed OK to his dad that night. Raskin says that what haunts him the most was “that I failed to ask squarely and loudly whether he was thinking about suicide or having suicidal thoughts.” He argues that it is critical to talk about suicide with the people in our lives who are depressed.   

I am a retired physician but still work closely with medical students. They can be highly stressed and are at an increased risk of depression. At least partly as a result of my own experiences, I now reach out to them on a regular basis. I ask them if they are depressed or even suicidal. I remind them of the many sources of help available to them. And I ask them to watch each other’s backs. Perhaps my behavior seems unwarranted or maybe even unwanted to some, but perhaps to that “one” it will make all the difference. 

I may sound down and somber, but really my life right now is good—enjoying family and friends.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). Speaking of Suicide also provides a list of resources for those in crisis and their loved ones.