On April 10, Sukaina Mohsin Ali, a first-year student from Pakistan, died in her residence room—a death that family have said was preventable. When a tragic incident occurs, it’s natural for those involved to shift ability to others in an effort to cope with the situation. In Ali’s case, it would be wrong to suggest that there was a single cause for her death.
Ali came to Canada from Pakistan, despite her diagnoses of depression and anorexia. Upon her ission, Ali’s parents attached a letter from her psychiatrist informing the University that “she would need monitoring by a general physician and counselor.” Unfortunately, this letter was never forwarded to the people who would help Ali on a daily basis and ensure her health and stability.
Nobody in the University has acknowledged receipt of this letter, and it seems as though it may have been lost amidst multiple levels of bureaucracy or was restricted from view because of its highly personal nature.
The letter went unseen by so many people who could have made a difference in Ali’s life, which exposes our bloated istrative bureaucracy and the problems with confidentiality. If something so important is completely confidential, how can anyone benefit? Ali’s parents went out of their way to inform the University of their daughter’s problems, yet the documents were considered too private or were misplaced somewhere between issions and Residence Life Coordinators.
One of the people who would have benefited from seeing this letter was Tammy Ma, Ali’s residence don. If she was aware of Ali’s previous condition, perhaps she could have been better able to help her.
After Ali’s death, Ma left Kingston for almost a week. While it must have been a traumatic and difficult time for Ma, she should have stayed in Kingston to be with the other students of which she was in charge. It is a don’s responsibility to assist students, especially in crisis situations.
Vice-Principal Patrick Deane told students that an investigation into Ali’s death will be completed and further information will be released.
Hopefully, the University can learn from this tragedy to ensure it won’t happen again.
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