Wits University confirms the suicides of two students in recent months.
Wits University has shared its condolences with the family, friends and those who know the two students who recently took their lives. The university’s spokesperson Shirona Patel stated the suicides took place off-campus residences and that they have met with the families of the students. “The university can confirm that it lost two students in recent months, one who was studying law and another who was a Bachelor of Arts student. Both students were doing well and did not seem to be in any financial distress or have any financial issues.”
Regardless, the university acknowledged that the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting people’s physical, emotional, and mental health in many ways. The university has offered and provided counselling and other services to friends, family and fellow students affected by the incidents.
The university’s Student Representative Council (SRC) released a statement, saying that the university puts unbearable pressure on students which contributes to their mental health challenges and illnesses. Patel responded saying, “Wits has put in place comprehensive programmes to try to address these issues which have been communicated to staff and students numerous times through multiple platforms. The dean of students and others are in regular communication with the SRC and we are looking at ways in which we can ensure that students reach out in time easily when they need help.”
The SRC had demanded that all exams should have a minimum of a 24-hour window period and that every student should be allowed to defer an exam if they express that they feel pressured without being subjected to documentation process.
Patel stated that as far as assessments are concerned, the majority of assessments are being held online and take multiple forms depending on the nature of the programme or course, the faculty and academic requirements. “Wits has reasonable policies in place and always does whatever it can to ensure student success.”
She indicated that Wits has arranged individual and/or group counselling for their staff and students and is available 24/7/365 on a toll-free line. There is also a list of student services available on the Wits website which offers comprehensive support for students academically, financially and socially. Free counselling services have been made available to staff members and their families who feel they are being affected by the pandemic.
“We are doing all that we can to ensure the safety of our students and their health and wellness, but this is our collective responsibility, to look out for one another and to look out for each other during this very difficult time,” Patel concluded.
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