In Acknowledgement of Aalok Modi
The staff here at CAPS is aware of the sudden death of Aalok Modi during a recent intramural basketball game. We offer our condolences to his family and friends. We would like to extend to support to all those impacted by this unexpected tragedy. While we realize that many students may associate CAPS with mental illness, we wish to clarify that we offer help for any student struggling with the loss of a peer and friend. The difficulty that most people have when someone they know has died is not considered a mental illness or a psychological problem. Sometimes, it’s just easier to talk about these issues with somebody who is objective, and that’s one of the reasons we are here. This is especially helpful a few weeks after the fact, when often it seems that everyone has "moved on" but struggles continue, more hidden because it seems that this is expected.
We are particularly sensitive to the fact that our campus so recently experienced the loss of another Duke student, and that the death of Aalok Modi may bring greater intensity of the feelings that many of you have been dealing with related to the very recent death of Abhijit Mahato.
Finally, we realize that all members of the Duke Community are vulnerable to being impacted, whether they are connected in any way to Aalok. For any students who have suffered a tragic death of a loved one or suffered violence, this event can bring to the surface past experiences with loss or violent trauma.
For all these reasons, CAPS extends its support to the entire community.
We are also aware that such a loss impacts entire groups and communities as well, and we are willing to come and meet with organizations or groups that may need someone to facilitate a gathering to begin healing and coping with the various reactions you may experience. If you would like to consult with a counselor regarding the impact this incident has had on you or a friend, call our front desk staff at (919) 660-1000 and let them know you’d like to schedule a meeting. If you would like a counselor to come to a meeting of a group that is directly affected, call 660-1000 and ask to speak with Dr. Gary Glass who will coordinate these requests. The following links may also be helpful: