This article discusses suicide. If you are having thoughts of suicide, please dial 988 to talk to a counselor. A list of suicide prevention hotlines around the world can be seen here.
Former Brown University swimmer Jameson McMullen died on October 13. He was 22 years old, and the cause of death was suicide.
McMullen swam for Brown as a freshman in 2019-2020. After Brown canceled the 2020-2021 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, McMullen did not race for Brown again, though he continued his academic career at Brown. The 2022-2023 season would have been his senior year for the Bears.
In high school, McMullen swam for Harvard-Westlake High School, placing 5th in the 100 free and 200 free as a senior at the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 Championships. He was a team captain there. He also swam for the Los Angeles Swim Club.
Even after his competitive swimming career ended, McMullen continued to be active in fundraising for cancer research via Swim Across America.
According to the University of Michigan, suicide is the #2 leading cause of death for college students, with approximately 1,100 suicides on college campuses per year.
“You were a best friend, a brother, a leader, a mentor; taught me grit, friendship, empathy, and how to be myself; pointed out the sunset and the glassy ocean water every single time; saw my potential when nobody else did; you will always be in our hearts,” his teammate Taka Khoo said.
A GoFundMe has been started by McMullen’s aunt, Michele Reihel, to help with the costs of returning him home to Los Angeles from Providence, Rhode Island. Donations in excess of the end-of-life costs will be made as a donation in Jameson’s name.
My love goes out to his family…. I taught him art art at Mirman… He was a great artist… I loved his smile… he lit up the room every time I had him…..Duri
Heartbreaking to see another swimmers death from suicidal ideation. There’s no shame in having suicidal thoughts. Call or text the crisis text line or 988. Talk to a therapist a friend a safe person who won’t judge you. You are not alone. Together we can end suicide. Jameson McMullen you will be remembered and we will continue to fight your fight preventing future suicides.
1100! Never could imagine this number is that huge. For the person who’s thoughts are far away from that it is hard to understand the reasoning. What is that? Bulling, inability to adjust to values of adult life, uncompromising attitude or broken heart? Or maybe the whole point is that at the moment of disturbed mental conditions there is no such a thing as reasoning.
Long time ago I read the article about Sigmund Freud who at the end of his life introduced the concept of death instinct – a destructive behavior that cannot be explained by pleasure principle. Is it what it is?
Very sad to hear such a news and my heart with those who are… Read more »
It can be any combination of those things, along with feelings of not meeting societal expectations. You are correct in that when someone reaches this point, reasoning is not the solution. Rather, they need appropriate mental health care, which can range from inpatient services to outpatient therapy. We fail as a society in providing appropriate education and access to these services. My heart goes out to Jameson and his family.
Heartbreaking
I’m so sorry for the loss of this bright light. I can’t help thinking how the pandemic affected many of our youth. My heart breaks for the family and all who knew him.
Still trying to process all of this. I had the privilege & honor of helping coach Jameson aka Jamo while I coached at the Los Angeles Swim Club & Harvard-Westlake. He was a tremendous leader who always saw the best in his teammates. He would go the extra mile to help out our younger swimmers in the program who were having a tough time transitioning into the group. Jamo helped me grow as a coach and a person. I would always go to our head coach if we needed someone to step up to do anything, we could always count on Jamo. His tremendous leadership, grit, and determination are instilled in every one he was around. Another soul lost too… Read more »
Just devastating news. My thoughts are with Jameson’s family & friends.