A police officer arrived at the Windeler home in March 2010 with the worst news a family of university-aged children could receive. Jack Windeler, a first-year student at Queen’s University, had died of suicide.
“(Jack) claimed no one could see it coming,” says Eric Windeler, Jack’s father, during a phone interview from Toronto. “After the initial shock and trauma of what happens to your family, I had to find out how this could happen.
“We are handing our kids over in an unprepared way and they are not being taken care of as effectively as they can be.”
In a note, Jack asked that no fuss be made about his death, preferring rather to help others in need.
To honour this wish and help channel his grief, Eric is taking his crusade to universities, colleges and high schools across Ontario to support young adults with mental health issues. Known as The Jack Project, Western is one of 12 post-secondary institutions and 22 high schools to sign up for the pilot project.
The project is an initiative of The Jack Windeler Memorial Fund at Kids Help Phone, organized in partnership with The Mental Health Commission of Canada and other national mental health organizations. The goal is to support youth transitioning from high school to post-secondary education or independent living and help them achieve optimal mental health.
Because of Western’s size and location, “we expect to look to it to be a great leader,” Eric says.
Each school is asked to provide information on their mental health-related programs, policies and services. They will also help evaluate what others are doing and share best practices.
Recently, Eric visited Western to speak as part of residence staff training initiatives. This relationship sparked an invitation to participate in the pilot program.
“We believe this effort is part of Western stepping forward and taking a leadership role for the good of students here at Western and at other schools,” says Susan Grindrod, associate vice-president, Housing & Ancillary Services.
During the past year, six students have died at Queen’s, with at least two identified as suicides. Three years ago, a Carleton University student died by suicide. These and other high-profile cases have been a wake-up call for Canadian universities to address mental health issues and increase supports on campuses.
“We are all eager to work, share and learn together about best practices in supporting the mental health of our students,” Grindrod says.
Since 2007, there have been three reported suicides involving Western students and one involving a staff member, says Elgin Austen, director of Campus Community Police Service. However, “we have a fair number of occurrences where students attempt suicide,” he says.
Grindrod points out suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth aged 15-24 and for each completed suicide there are an estimated 100 attempts, according to Statistics Canada.
“We believe promoting mental health is a very important part in supporting the well-being and success of our students,” Grindrod says. “We also know that young adulthood is a time when many mental health issues first emerge – in light of this we want to do our very best to provide resources and expertise to our students.”
The pilot is targeted at university-aged students because symptoms of mental illness are often first identified in the late-teens and early-adult years.
“Mental health issues are the No. 1 issues on campuses,” says Nicole Versaevel, health promotions specialist for Western’s Health Services.
She sees The Jack Project as compelling because Eric puts a face on mental illness. “With this project, it is so gripping; it really can be anyone,” she says.
Versaevel feels it is important students garner a broad understanding of health, placing mental, emotional and spiritual health equally alongside physical health.
Participating in The Jack Project is one piece of a comprehensive approach to mental health, says Shelagh Hodson, director of Western’s Health Services. In completing the landscape scan, the university will acquire an inventory of the services offered on campus by various groups.
“Western is taking mental health very seriously,” Hodson says. “We actually offer a lot of services. Hopefully there can be an intervention that would circumvent a tragedy.”
The Jack Project will not give a prescription for all schools to subscribe to, as each has unique challenges. However, it will allow schools to share best practices to improve their strategies and services. Schools play a significant role in supporting those with mental illness and helping to destigmatize the issue, Eric notes.
In a video posted on The Jack Project website, Eric revisits Queen’s to talk with those closest to Jack. In hindsight, fellow students, those living in his residence and even a teaching assistant say they missed reading the signs Jack was in trouble.
“I know those people around Jack would have wanted to help,” he says. “Training would potentially save someone’s life. One thing to remember is be aware of those changes in behaviour; trust your gut and take some action,” he continues.
“People get lost otherwise and they slip through the cracks.”