New 'information sharing' guidance to tackle student suicides

*This article deals with topics of suicide which may be triggering to some readers*

Last week, Universities UK announced new “information sharing” guidance for universities concerning suicidal students following pressure from petitions.

Credit: Getty Images.

By: Derry Salter.

New guidance from Universities UK (UUK), a group representing 140 universities, provided update to universities last week informing them to contact key family members or friends if they have serious concerns about a student’s mental health. This step even recommends universities contact these people even without the student’s permission in a bid to lower suicide rates.

Most universities see students register “trusted contacts” at the beginning of the year, which can be contacted if the student is in danger or it is an emergency, even without the student’s consent.

 

UUK reiterated that staff “should make every reasonable effort to secure consent”, but also recognised that “there are some circumstances in which a university can and should share information with emergency services and with trusted contacts.”

 

The guidelines also advise universities to check in with students and ensure staff are mental health trained. Between 2019 and 2020, 64 students in England and Wales killed themselves, so this new guidance is vital for saving students’ lives.

 

The work of The LEARN Network have arguably brought this new guidance into action. The group is made up of 25 bereaved families whose children killed themselves at university; they hope to make universities more accountable for their students. The group want universities to have a legal duty of care towards their students and are campaigning for the law to be changed.

 

Bob Abrahart, father of Natasha who committed suicide during her time at the University of Bristol, outlined the group’s petition: “It’s asking the government to enact a legal duty of care for the higher education sector.”

 

Natasha’s parents tried to sue the University of Bristol for negligence after her suicide, however, they lost the case as the judge noted: “There is no statute or precedent which establishes the existence of such a duty of care owed by a university to a student.” The Abrahart’s and The LEARN network want to change this to prevent more university student suicides.

 

UUK do not believe any legal duties need to be placed on universities. A spokesperson said: “UUK does not believe that a statutory duty of care is necessary...Universities go beyond their legal requirements to prioritise mental health.”

 

Although this is a step in the right direction, The LEARN Network remain concerned that this move is merely a recommendation and there is no legal requirement for universities to follow this guidance.

Moreover, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy called the move as a “positive step that universities are proposing consistent practice for the first time.” But they also shared fears with The LEARN Network that “this might be a tick-box exercise in managing risk for some institutions”.

Universities can only provide support for students if they are given the appropriate investment and funding. The Department of Education has asked for £15m to be allocated for student mental health to make this possible.

 

With suicide rates at a shockingly high rate for university students, pressure is on the government and education boards to do more.