A national review commissioned by the Department for Education into student suicides in England has been met with strong criticism from bereaved parents, mental health advocates, and student organisations. The review, led by Professor Sir Louis Appleby, investigated 79 suspected student suicides and 25 non-fatal self-harm incidents during the 2023–24 academic year, uncovering worrying patterns of mental ill-health and academic pressures among students.
The review revealed that nearly half of the individuals involved in the study had experienced mental health issues prior to their deaths. In addition, over a third of the cases linked academic pressures, including workload stress, to the worsening of mental health conditions. Financial struggles, isolation, and lack of proper mental health support were also noted as significant factors.
The findings of the review, while significant, have been criticised for not addressing what some see as deeper systemic issues within universities. Despite these revelations, the review did not make a recommendation for a legal duty of care to ensure universities are actively safeguarding students' mental health.
Bereaved Families Demand Legal Action
Bereaved families, particularly those whose children have died by suicide, are demanding stronger action. Many argue that universities are not doing enough to support students before they reach crisis point. Parents have called for a legal duty of care to be imposed on universities, which would legally compel institutions to ensure mental health services are accessible, timely, and effective for all students.
The National Union of Students (NUS) has backed calls for a legal duty of care, arguing that many students are falling through the cracks due to a lack of preventative measures. The NUS has also highlighted the need for university staff to be better trained to recognise signs of distress and to provide students with the support they need.
"The review provides important insights but misses the mark in terms of practical action," said NUS President, Amina Ibrahim. “We need a cultural shift within universities, where student wellbeing is as important as academic success.”
What Needs to Change?
Mental health experts suggest that universities should adopt a "whole-university approach" to mental health, where wellbeing is integrated into all aspects of student life. This includes embedding mental health resources in student services, offering regular wellbeing check-ins, and fostering an open culture where students feel comfortable seeking help before their problems escalate.
Some universities have already started implementing such measures. For example, the University of East Anglia has introduced a programme called “Wellbeing First,” which places a strong focus on students’ mental health from the very beginning of their university experience. The programme offers regular mental health check-ins, peer support groups, and easy access to counselling services.
However, these measures are not universally adopted, and many institutions are still lagging behind in providing adequate mental health support.
The Role of Government
The Department for Education has pledged to examine the findings of the review and respond to concerns raised by families and student organisations. The government has indicated that it will work closely with universities to ensure better mental health provisions moving forward, although no immediate changes have been announced.
Mental health advocates continue to press for more funding to be allocated to university mental health services, as well as greater accountability for universities in supporting students’ mental health.
As the number of student suicides continues to rise, the calls for stronger legal frameworks to protect students' mental health have become more urgent. Bereaved families, student organisations, and mental health experts all agree: a more proactive and systemic approach is needed. For now, the spotlight is on universities and the government to take meaningful action to prevent further tragedies.