Mother Of GVSU Student That Took His Own Life Sends Message To Parents & Students

TRIGGER WARNING: SUICIDE/LOSS OF A CHILD

Tragedy struck the campus of GVSU on Thursday, December 9th when a student took his own life, now his mother's plea to students and parents has gone viral.

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It's believed that Quentin 'Quinn' Campbell took his own life on that date just weeks after celebrating his 19th birthday.

In response the university posted a message on their Facebook page offering support to the Laker community:

My main message to you is that you are an important member of our campus community, and we care about you. In addition to your family and friends, there are many professional resources available to you, and I want to make sure you know about them...You are not alone. We are a community, and each member is important. Care for others and care for yourself – Lakers helping Lakers.-GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella

Following that post, Quinn's mother, Tami, posted a heartbreaking message in response. In it, she spoke of the last time she saw her son, the heartbreak of losing a child, and implored that anyone who is feeling depressed NEEDS to find someone to talk to:

To the Grand Valley Community: that was MY son that jumped off that bridge less than 48 hours ago. Our local police showed up at our home at 2 am to tell me my son was dead. Our world has shattered.

My face is raw from tears that won’t stop. His Dad has crumbled. And his little sister – who has the same birthday as him – wails with a pain that rips my heart apart over and over again.

Two weeks ago he was home for Thanksgiving. We played euchre and laughed at how bad I am at the game. We took his car into the shop to put brand new tires on it and fix other issues to make sure the car was safe for his 2+ hour drive back to GVSU.

There are presents wrapped under the tree for him. And there is an order on the way for clothing with his fraternity logo on it – a box I don’t want to arrive at my door, a box that will bring me to my knees when I see it sitting on my porch waiting for me to open it.

I thought everything was good. He said he was having the time of his life. He had a best friend he loved, the best friendship he’s ever had. He joined a fraternity and was talking about the event he was planning to help organize.

But…he was suffering from depression. And instead of talking about it – to ANYONE – he chose to end his life in a horrific way. Our family will never be the same. I have no idea how we are going to go on. The pain we are suffering is unbearable, unimaginable.
Students, if you are dealing with depression, PLEASE get help. Talk to your parents. If you can’t talk to them, talk to a teacher, someone from your religious community, call a helpline, hell – call ME. I will talk to you. I would do ANYTHING to prevent another family from going thru this nightmare. But GET HELP. Please. Do it for your family. Do it for my son. Please don’t let his death be in vain.

She also asked that any of her son's friends please reach out with stories and remembrances of her son:

To any of my son’s friends: I want to hear from you. I want to hear stories about my son. I want to know how much he meant to you. I want to hear stories about how silly he was, I want to hear stories that will make me laugh instead of cry and remind me of how wonderful he was. I don’t need space. I need contact from you. I need to know he was loved. Please share this message – I know most of you aren’t on FB. Please copy and paste and share...He turned 19 on Thanksgiving. He was a freshman. He was my world.

After the posting, the letter has been copied and reposted hundreds of times on Facebook pages and groups within and beyond the GVSU community.

Funeral services for Quinn are set to take place in Plymouth this Saturday. Remembrances for the student can be left on the Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home Website.

A GoFundMe for Campbell's funeral has already raised over $30,000 in donations.

Assistance information via GVSU:
24/7 local and national hotlines for assistance anywhere:
Ottawa County Local Helpline 24-Hr. Emergency Assistance:
Grand Haven: (616) 842-4537
Holland: (616) 396-4357
For all other Ottawa County areas: call toll-free 1-866-512-4357
Kent County Network 180 24-Hr. Access Line: (616) 336-3909
National Suicide Prevention Line & Crisis Chat: 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: Text 741741