University of Ottawa confirms student death on-campus

A uOttawa student has been found dead in one of its on-campus residences.

Police were called to the residence Saturday morning, prompting University President Jacques Frémont to issue a statement later that evening offering his condolences. 

“The university does not, as a rule, comment on the cause of death in these situations,” he wrote. 'However, given the unprecedented social context that we face today, I feel compelled to let members of our community and the public at large know that based on the knowledge we have at present, this death does not appear to be related to the COVID-19 coronavirus.”

Frémont has asked students who are feeling impacted by the news to reach out to friends, family and on-campus services. 

“You are not alone,” he said. “You are among friends and people who care deeply about you. I care about each of you, and so do your fellow students and professors.”

Mental health counselors are available to students during the week and over the weekend at the university's walk-in clinic on the fourth floor of 100 Marie-Curie Prv., Frémont said. 

As of February, the University of Ottawa reported its fifth student death by suicide over a 10-month period. Frémont addressed the situation to university students at that time. 

“Addressing mental health is a highly complex societal challenge,” he said. “There is no quick fix. There is no established practice. At uOttawa we work to identify solutions and we work continuously to improve the services that are available on our campus.”

He added, “The mental health needs of our students are more complex than ever before. The University of Ottawa is committed – I am committed – to ensuring that the mental health needs of students are addressed as comprehensively as possible on campus.”

Anyone in need of immediate mental health services can reach the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region, here.

If you or someone you know is in distress, please call one of the numbers below right away (24 Hour Help Lines):

• Ottawa Mental Health Crisis Line (EN/FR) : 613-722-6914, 1-866-996-0991 if outside Ottawa
• Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region (EN) : 613-238-3311
• Youth Services Bureau 24/7 Crisis Line (EN/FR) : 613-260-2360 or 1-877-377-7775 (Eastern ON)
• Kids Help Phone (EN) : 1-800-668-6868
• Centre d'aide 24/7 (FR) : 1-866-277-3553
• Tel-aide Outaouais (FR) : 613-741-6433