Hundreds of thousands of students will be better supported to
tackle mental health challenges, as the Government demands
improvements to support across higher education.
The changes come in response to the findings of the largest ever
national review of student suicides, which was shaped closely by
families who lost loved ones. Their insights and experiences have
been instrumental in identifying where the system must change.
The independent review, found gaps in how universities support
at-risk students, communicate with families after a tragedy, and
in how they follow through on serious incidents with transparency
and accountability.
Under government plans announced today, universities will be
asked to step up their efforts to protect students, by delivering
robust mental health training for all staff, strengthening
information sharing practices between academic and non-academic
staff, and putting in place clear, enforceable safeguards to make
student accommodation and campus life safer.
Universities will be expected to implement the review's
recommendations, with government working with the Higher
Education Mental Health Taskforce to develop guidance and drive
consistent adoption across the sector.
The Taskforce will also examine key proposals from the review,
including the call for a Duty of Candour, and work to understand
the most effective way to bring about change to ensure greater
transparency with bereaved families in the instance of a tragic
case of student suicide.
The review builds on wider government action to improve mental
health support across the entire education system. Last week, the
government announced that almost one million more young people
will have access to mental health support in schools and colleges
this year, a major step forward in delivering its manifesto
pledge for access to all pupils.
Education Secretary said:
"Every student lost to suicide is a tragedy that leaves families,
friends, and entire communities devastated. For too long,
families have been left with unanswered questions and denied the
transparency they deserve. This must change.
“We are committed to working with universities, experts, and
students to turn the findings of this review into real, lasting
improvements. That means better support for at-risk students, a
commitment to openness with families, and a sector-wide focus on
preventing these heartbreaking losses.
“We expect decisive, visible action to ensure that no family is
ever left in the dark again."
The government will bring together members of the sector tomorrow
as part of its latest Taskforce meeting (22 May), with the group
now having an additional focus on addressing the findings of the
Review and working more closely with student groups such as the
National Union of Students.
The government will appoint a new Higher Education Student
Support Champion this summer to lead the Taskforce, following the
departure of Professor Edward Peck later this month. This new
champion will play a vital role in ensuring universities
implement the review's recommendations and drive real change
across the sector.
The review shows that most students who died by suicide were
already known to support services, and that many had experienced
academic pressure, social isolation, or mental health struggles.
Dominic Smithies, Head of Influencing and Communications at the
mental health charity Student Minds, and member of the Higher
Educational Mental Health Taskforce, said:
“We welcome the publication of this Review and commend all
involved in bringing evidence, insights and data together.
“Suicide is a complex and sensitive subject but it's critical
that we take every opportunity to share learning to improve our
understanding of the challenge so that can address it through the
work of the HE Mental Health Implementation Taskforce.
“While this report does share valuable learnings, it has also
highlighted a number of gaps, the challenge will be to continue
learning - and sharing this learning - so that we can prevent
future deaths.”
As part of the reforms, Universities UK have committed to amend
their important guidance on how to respond to a suicide to
reflect the lessons learned by this review.
Vivienne Stern, Chief Executive of Universities UK said:
“Universities are joined in their commitment to prevent student
suicides and the findings of the National Review will play a key
role in supporting the sector's learning in both the prevention
of future tragedies.
“The principles of openness and transparency are essential, and
Universities UK will now work with PAPYRUS and Samaritans to
update our guidance in line with the recommendations.
“We are pleased to see the government's continued commitment to
the Mental Health Taskforce given the increase in the number of
young adults experiencing mental health difficulties and look
forward to working with the new HE Student Support Champion when
appointed.”
The independent review was commissioned by the Department for
Education and conducted by the National Confidential Inquiry into
Suicide and Safety in Mental Health (NCISH), looked at more than
160 cases of suicide and serious self-harm incidents during the
2023/24 academic year.
