MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University experienced a day on campus on Monday, Oct. 28, that you never want to see happen, said Mark Whitt, collegiate ministry specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

According to Sidelines, MTSU’s student newspaper, a student died by suicide inside the James E. Walker Memorial Library on Monday afternoon. University president Sidney McPhee sent out a statement to the campus confirming the death.

The school newspaper also reported the university canceled all classes the following day. “My hope is that our community will use this time to grieve and reach out for support resources being made available,” McPhee said in an email addressed to the MTSU community. “Essential services, including counseling resources, will remain open and available.”

Whitt added that the university asked all denominational campus ministries to be present to minister to students if needed.

“Our staff has been present all day today (Oct. 29) and the remainder of the week for any students who need to talk,” Whitt said.

The university’s Student Government Association (SGA) is sponsoring a “Circle of Support and Reflection” on Oct. 30 in front of the library, Whitt said.

Though the name of the student has not been released publicly, some of the BCM’s members knew the individual, Whitt said. “A lot of our students plan to attend the event on Wednesday,” he added.

“We are fortunate that our universities consider our BCM staff members are part of the university and rely on them for trusted support in difficult times like these.

“The greatest help would be for churches and church leaders to be in prayer for the entire university community and for our BCM leaders as they minister,” Whitt said.

If you or anyone else you know are having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline by calling or texting 988. 

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Lonnie Wilkey is editor of the Baptist and Reflector, newsjournal of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. This article originally appeared in the Baptist and Reflector.)