University saddened as latest death takes grim toll to 11
Fatalities among undergraduates at Bristol highlights rising suicide rate
AN ELEVENTH university student in Bristol has died, amid a spate of fatalities there in the past 18 months.
Natasha Abrahart, from Nottingham, who died suddenly this week, was a 20-year-old physics student in her second-year. Her death came soon after that of Alex Elsmore, a fourth year electrical and engineering student at Bristol University, who is believed to have taken his own life.
It is understood Mr Elsmore fell from a bridge on Saturday April 21. His death is not being treated as suspicious by police.
In the past 18 months, eight students from Bristol University are believed to have taken their own lives. A further two students, from the city’s University of the West of England (UWE), are also thought to have killed themselves.
Bristol University is currently spending £1 million on “well-being advisers” as part of a package to counter growing concerns over students’ mental health.
The university is hiring a team of 28 full-time mental health advisers and managers who will be embedded in academic departments and cater for the welfare needs of students.
It carried out a review of its support for mental health issues in response to the increasing numbers of students who struggle with anxiety, depression or other conditions.
A university spokesman said: “We have been informed of the sudden death of second-year physics student Natasha Abrahart. Our thoughts are with Natasha’s family, who have requested privacy at this very difficult time.
“This news may be distressing for members of the university community, especially those who knew and studied with Natasha. We are deeply saddened and encourage any students or staff affected to contact university well-being services for help as well as seek support from friends or family.
“Sadly, this is the second student death in a short period of time and the university is doing everything we can to support all those affected by these deaths.
“We are not aware of any suspicious circumstances surrounding her death and the coroner will hold an inquest in due course.’
A report by the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) said that some universities need to triple their funding for mental health services if they are to meet growing demand from students in need of support.
It said the scale of the mental health problem among university students is “bigger than ever before”.
Last month, a study showed that the ratio of students taking their own lives has overtaken that of the general population for the first time. The suicide rate among UK students had risen by 56 per cent in 10 years between 2007 and 2016, from 6.6 per 100,000 to 10.3, researchers found.
The student suicide rate in 2016 was 9 per cent higher than in 2015 and 25 per cent higher than in 2012, when it was 8.3 per 100,000.