SFU student society president Gabe Liosis announces resignation, citing severe anxiety and depression

A substantial-profile B.C. university student chief is stepping back again from the spotlight to secure his mental health and fitness.

Gabe Liosis stated in a statement that successful January 24, he will be resigning as president of the Simon Fraser College student Culture. He’s been in business since May well of final year following serving as vice president college relations in the 2020-21 educational yr.

“What I am suffering from is intense panic and melancholy,” Liosis exposed. “Stress and anxiety has constantly been a little something I have battled, as an introvert and frequently a individual who sets substantial standards for themselves.

“Having said that, it became increasingly unbearable about the last two yrs, not only due to the fact of the pandemic, but carrying out an amazingly complicated job on leading of that. My stress has grow to be particularly undesirable considering the fact that returning to campus for in-individual studying in September 2021.”

As the scholar society president, Liosis advocated on behalf of more than 25,000 students. He mentioned that it has been extremely fulfilling to be ready to influence improve at the best stages of the college.

“I have completed almost everything in my electrical power to deal with my mental overall health challenges, though protecting my position,” Liosis mentioned.

Liosis is a graduate of Maple Ridge secondary and research political science at SFU.

He acknowledged that it can be vital for a president to be hugely accessible and responsive to college student modern society customers, but stated that this is tough for a human being like him, who’s an introvert, because it can be very draining.

“You also bear the stress of representing and advocating for your good friends, your friends, and marginalized communities—you are expected to perform your ideal as just about anything much less will outcome in damage to these persons and groups,” he declared.

Liosis acknowledged that this was a challenging determination and that just after he resigns, a culture bylaw will elevate the vice president interior and organizational improvement, Corbett Gildersleeve, to acting president till Could 1.

“I am deeply appreciative and grateful to the men and women who have always, and carry on, to support me in the function that I do, and supply me with love, steering, and friendship,” Liosis explained. “I would under no circumstances have built it to in which I am now, if not for the amazing persons that I am surrounded by each and every working day.”

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