Incident Details

Students and staff at Curtin University in Western Australia are in shock after a 27-year-old student brought a gun on campus and tragically took his own life. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening in a room in the engineering faculty at Curtin’s main campus in Bentley, a southern suburb of Perth. The student was found with a “self-inflicted fatal injury”. The university is offering counselling to students affected by this tragic event.

Gun Control Laws in Western Australia

This incident highlights the importance of ongoing discussions regarding gun control laws in Western Australia. It comes at a time when the state government has proposed reforms to limit the number of guns an individual can own. Police Minister Paul Papalia emphasized that public safety is the primary concern and reducing the number of firearms in the community can help prevent illegal use.

University’s Response and Counselling Support

Curtin University expressed shock and sadness over the sudden death of the student and extended condolences to his family and friends. The university has offered condolences and thoughts to the affected students and staff and will continue to provide wellbeing and counselling support. Students can reach out to the campus Student Wellbeing Advisory Service for assistance. It is crucial that those affected by this incident seek help and support from professional resources such as the Suicide Call Back Service, Lifeline, and other organizations listed below.

Student Dissatisfaction with University’s Handling of the Situation

However, some students have expressed disappointment with the way Curtin University has handled the situation. They believe that the university has tried to distance itself from the student by removing references to him from its website, including videos about his charity work and tutoring. Students have voiced their concerns, stating that the university’s priority seems to be its own optics rather than acknowledging the contributions of the deceased student. At this time, Curtin University has declined to comment further on the matter.

Editorial: Balancing Transparency and Sensitivity

In these situations, universities face a challenging task of balancing transparency and sensitivity. While it is understandable that institutions may want to protect their reputation, it is crucial to remember that students and staff affected by such tragic events need support and acknowledgement. Open discussions and transparency can help create an environment where mental health issues can be addressed with compassion and understanding. Treating each incident as an opportunity to learn and improve the support systems for students is essential for universities.

Advice for Students and Staff

If you have been affected by this incident or know someone who needs help, it is essential to reach out to the available support services, such as:

  • Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
  • Lifeline: 13 11 14
  • Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN: 13 92 76
  • Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
  • Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
  • Headspace: 1800 650 890
  • ReachOut: au.reachout.com
  • MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978