The aftermath of Rachael Shaw-Rosenbaum’s heartbreaking suicide in 2021 marked a turning point at Yale University, leading to a surge of activism and reforms in mental health policies.
In the wake of Ms. Shaw-Rosenbaum’s passing, a diverse group of individuals, including those who personally knew her and others who empathized with her struggles, began gathering on Zoom. Among them was a physician in her early 40s, who had experienced the impersonal process of being told to withdraw from Yale during her hospitalization following a suicide attempt. Another participant, a young classical pianist, withdrew from Yale due to bouts of hypomania and depression, feeling a profound sense of exclusion, rejection, and isolation.
Collectively known as “Elis for Rachael,” this group shared a common concern regarding Yale’s stringent mental health policies, which forced students to withdraw without guarantees of readmission, stripped them of health insurance, and excluded them from campus life, particularly at their most vulnerable moments.
Dr. Alicia Floyd, a physician and a founder of the group, explained, “We discovered that there were just generations of Yalies who had had similar issues, who had kept quiet about it for decades and decades. And we all felt like something needed to change.”
The grassroots organizing that began in response to this tragedy culminated in a recent legal settlement. This settlement has ushered in significant changes in Yale’s approach to medical leave of absence.
Under the revised policy, students now have the option to extend their insurance coverage for a year. They will no longer be banned from campus spaces or lose their campus jobs while on leave. Additionally, the return process has been streamlined, with the opinion of the student’s healthcare provider carrying more weight in decision-making.
These policy adjustments reflect a concerted effort by activists to create a more compassionate and supportive environment for Yale’s students grappling with mental health challenges, emphasizing the importance of empathy, understanding, and accessible care.
