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University mental health services have been reviewed after at least 11 students died by suspected suicide in the last few years. The figures, released to the Herald under the Official Information Act, show the University of Otago had the highest number of suspected suicides by students, with four last year, and one each in 2015 and 2016.

Only one was a first year student; the rest were spread over second, third, fourth and postgraduate study.

At Auckland University of Technology there were two suspected suicides last year, a postgraduate student and another in their final year.

The University of Waikato reported two suspected suicides during the past three years and the University of Canterbury confirmed one student suicide in the same If you or someone else is in danger, call 111. If you need to talk, these free helplines operate 24/7: timeframe.

Lincoln, Victoria and Auckland universities said they did not hold information on suspected suicides and Massey University did not respond.

The figures come at the same time as the first study of its kind in New Zealand showed 56 per cent of tertiary students considered dropping out because of stress, anxiety and depression.

It prompted the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations, which commissioned the Kei Te Pai Report, to claim tertiary students are failing to reach their potential because of the mental health crisis.

The University of Otago was the only one to report formal complaints about its mental health services, a total of nine since 2015.

Student health services director Dr Kim Ma’ia’l said the university undertook a review in 2016 that resulted in a broadened and deepened investment in mental health services.

At AUT there had been a 55 per cent increase in counselling and mental health appointments in the semester one pre-exam period of May this year compared to the same period last year.

The university, which has implemented a free resilience app available to all students, said there was a number of triggers associated with the increasing numbers.

These included campus life stress, young people spending less time with friends and more time on social media, and more students seeking support for identity issues.

The University of Waikato said the increase in student body diversity including international students far from support networks contributed to student stress.

Social pressures, the uncertainty of the job market and future prospects, earlier puberty, changes to parenting practices and a decrease in mental health resources in the community were also reasons for increasing access to mental health services.

The seven universities reported comprehensive health services, some of which had been upgraded to cater for the increasing mental health demand.

Lincoln University said it had established a new wellbeing coordinator role and was working with Universities New Zealand which was undertaking a nationwide project focusing on mental health.

The project was in the process of establishing a steering committee with representatives across all universities.

Universities NZ executive director Chris Whelan said a university was the size of a small town and had all the same kinds of issues, including those of mental distress.

Call investigation team at Hamilton police on (07) 858 6200. Information can be left with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

first hit. He was found dead in his Berryman Access Rd home on Saturday June 30.

Pitkethley yesterday confirmed Noda died from being beaten and they were now looking for only one of the two vehicles of interest.

The occupants of a silver SUV seen on Victoria St, Hamilton, near Bryce St, about 6.30pm on the day of his death had come forward and been spoken to.

However, they were still keen to find a 2001 Nissan Skyline, registration KAM195.

It’s understood Noda wasn’t in deep with the gangs but he has associates who are.

When Robert Nelson was shot dead in the house of his partner Kahlee Marfell, protecting her from a flurry of bullets, people wondered if perhaps the shooting was connected to Noda’s death.

Marfell lived at the Matthews Cres, Melville, home with her senior Mongrel Mob gang member dad Mark “Griff” Griffiths.

He was also home but was able to stay safe in his bedroom which was further down the hallway.

His 17-year-old nephew was shot four times, a relative told the Herald, twice in the torso, once in the head and also in the shoulder, after three gunmen knocked at the front door asking if “Mark” was home.

The teen is still fighting for his life in Auckland Hospital.

Marfell was shot in the side of the upper thigh. The gunman either used a high-powered rifle or he got close as the bullet went through one thigh, coming to rest in the other.

She was discharged from hospital last week.

There was a fire at the Melville house late last Friday night. Pitkethley confirmed there had been a “significant” amount of damage but he couldn’t be drawn on where it started.

A third person, Mitchell Paterson, was found dead at McLaren Falls on Friday morning.

His body was recovered from under the bridge and police are seeking sightings of suspicious activity from the day before.

Police said he was killed after a “physical assault”. There have been three arrests, although only one allegedly directly linked to a murder.