Nevertheless, Catlin said he told a group ofKirkland House students about Armijo's life as hetried to comfort them at a house meeting on theday of the suicide.

"I tried to tell them about why people commitsuicide," Catlin said. "I tried to tell a littlebit without revealing anything too personal aboutthe individual."

Dealing with Tragedy

Students in Kirkland said that one week afterthe suicide, the mood in the House seems to havereturned to normal. But they added that it isdifficult to gauge the house mood because manystudents were away for intersession.

Catlin urged any students who are troubled bythe incident or are contemplating suicide to callUHS. He said those students will be given highestpriority in receiving attention.

"There is not only sadness and loss, butdisappointment and guilt," Catlin said. "It canmake an individual feel that they should have donesomething about it."

Catlin encourages students who are depressed tothink positively and realize that there ispotential for something meaningful in their lives.

"Each person has to think on their own as towhat's important in their life; what are theyliving for and to look to the positive side ofthings," he said.

Herbert J. Vallier, assistant director of theHarvard police, urged students to contactofficials, either in their Houses or elsewhere inthe University, if they think a friend may becontemplating suicide.

"If it's a proctor or friend, the safest thingto do is taking that risk [to breakconfidentiality]," Vallier said in a telephoneinterview yesterday.

"Call and try to get to one of the detectivesor, if you know of [one], a particular person inthe police department. This raises the whole issueof having liaisons in all of the houses," Valliersaid, referring to a new Harvard police initiativeto put liaisons in the 13 Harvard Houses and thefirst-year dorms.

Armijo's parents could not be reached forcomment at their home in Boulder