Head of mental health services at University of Pennsylvania dies by suicide

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Obituary: He Was There To Help –

Sept. 10, 2019 – The department he headed, Counseling and Psychological Services, describes itself on its website as a resource to help “students adjust to university life, manage personal and situational challenges, develop coping strategies, and grow personally and professionally.” Eells had previously worked at Cornell University as director of counseling and psychological services and as director of the University Counseling Center at the University of Southern Mississippi. He arrived at UPENN at a time when the campus community was demanding more mental health resources, according to student newspaper The Daily Pennsylvanian, in the wake of at least 14 student deaths by suicide since 2013. Sunday was the start of National Suicide Prevention week, an annual week-long awareness campaign designed to engage Americans about the warning signs of suicide and the resources available for people in crisis.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.