The campus of Middle Tennessee University is in mourning this week after a student reportedly took their own life on campus.

21-year-old Serenity Birdsong died by apparent suicide in the university library on Monday, according to the Murfreesboro Police Department. Birdsong, a transgender woman, served as vice president of the MT Lambda, an LGBTQIA+ and ally student organization at MTSU. The university canceled classes on Tuesday but resumed normal university business on Wednesday.

Serenity was more than an officer to us, many of us considered Serenity our friend, and her ability to light up a room, paired with her wholesome demeanor made her welcome anywhere, but especially in Lambda where we are burdened by the darkness of existing in a world so often cruel to us and it is this darkness that snuffed out Serenitys life, a statement from the organization posted to social media reads, in part.

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MTU student William Dawson told local WSMV News that he spends hours in the library and never thought the building would be the site of such a terrible tragedy.

I was really heartbroken to see someone who, I just wished they saw that there was still more time and there was still an opportunity to feel better, Dawson told the outlet.

Dawson said Monday afternoon took a turn when he heard an unrecognizable sound.

There was a noise that wasnt immediately recognizable as what it was, and then, we all kind of stood and eventually realized and saw what was happening, Dawson said.

The university held a vigil for Birdsong organized by the MTU Student Government on Wednesday night where friends and students gathered to remember the 21year-old

I think this right here proves to all of us that she was loved too, even if she couldnt see it at the time, a friend of Birdsong told WSMV.

Another friend of Birdsong added, Serenity may no longer be with us in person, but her memory, her laughter, her friendship, her love will forever be a part of who we are as a community.

Signs and flowers were placed outside the library in remembrance of Birdsong. Student speakers shared messages with the crowd, many encouraging them to seek mental health support and that help and counselors are available.

Dawson told WSMV that he hopes the messages shared at the vigil help save someones life one day.

I think people should become more and more open to the idea of finding some kind of professional help when it comes to mental health, to realize that you dont need to become another tragedy and that theres so much opportunity to be happy, Dawson said.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help raise money for Birdsong’s partner. The GoFundMe states that Birdsong, nor her partner, has any close family and they are trying to raise money to help with the emotional and financial stress of losing her partner.

“As she grieves this loss she is left reeling with the emotional and financial implications of losing her partner. We want to provide her with the time and space to grieve without the burden of financial stress,” the GoFundMe said. The campaign has raised over $19,000 of its $20,000 goal as of Wednesday.

If in the United States, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to 988 Lifeline

For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.

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