We have just published the largest-ever national review into
student suicides in higher education, examining over 160 cases of
suspected suicide or self-harm during the 2023/24 academic year.
The review was conducted by the National Confidential Inquiry
into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health (NCISH) and aimed to
understand how universities currently respond to students in
urgent need of help and how to help identify areas for
improvement.
What were the main findings of the review?
Looking at the broader picture, the review found that
undergraduates made up the majority of cases, with first-year
students and international students being particularly
vulnerable. These findings point to key transition periods as
times of heightened risk, when students may struggle with
adapting to university life, being away from home, or navigating
a new country and culture.
Universities now need
to focus their support on these specific groups and improve how
they identify students who might need help. The review revealed
several gaps in university practices. In three-quarters of cases,
bereaved families were not included in serious incident reviews
following a death. Many students who died by suicide were already
known to universities and had experienced stresses like academic
pressure, social isolation, or mental health struggles.
What actions will universities need to
take?
Following this report, we are calling on universities to do more
to help protect students. They will now be expected to:
- Improve staff training on mental health
awareness and suicide prevention
- Strengthen information sharing between academic and
non-academic teams
- Review and improve accommodation safety for vulnerable
students
- Be open, transparent and proactive in communicating with
families after a suspected suicide
The government is also taking several steps to drive
change:
- Extending the Higher Education Mental Health Implementation
Taskforce beyond this summer
- Expanding the taskforce membership to include the National
Union of Students
- Appointing a new Higher Education Student Support Champion
this summer
How have universities responded to these challenges so
far?
Universities have shown real commitment to improving student
mental health support. Currently, 113 universities have joined
the University Mental Health Charter Programme, and there has
been increased investment in support services across the sector.
But we also want the sector to do more to offer support and
protection where it's needed.
Will families be more involved in the
future?
The government and taskforce will work to encourage universities
to include bereaved families in future reviews following a
student's death. Input from families will be sought as much as
possible, and universities will now be held to account if they
fail to include families appropriately.
How can I access the full report?
The full National Review into Higher Education Student Suicides
is now available, providing detailed insights into the findings
and recommendations for improving student support and preventing
future tragedies.
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