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Students Demand University Suicide Transparency
8 Oct
Summary
- A survey found 88% of students want universities more open about suicides.
- Parents campaign for 'Harry's Law' for mandatory annual suicide rate reporting.
- A coroner criticized Exeter University's handling of student mental health.
A recent survey indicates that 88% of university students desire increased transparency from their institutions concerning student suicides. This sentiment was amplified after the 2021 death of Harry Armstrong Evans, a student who experienced a mental health crisis.
His parents are advocating for legislation, dubbed 'Harry's Law,' that would mandate universities to disclose annual student suicide figures. This call for transparency follows a coroner's strong criticism of Exeter University for its inadequate response to Evans' "cry for help" during the pandemic.
The survey, which polled 4,000 students across over 30 UK universities, underscores growing concerns about student mental health. Contributing factors cited include the pandemic, academic disruptions, and financial pressures, leading students to seek greater accountability from their universities.
Alice and Rupert Armstrong Evans expressed vindication from the survey results, emphasizing that prospective students should be informed about suicide incidents to make better-informed decisions about their education. They highlighted their shock at discovering other student suicides at Exeter, a fact previously unknown to them.
Exeter University stated it has reviewed and enhanced its mental health support services following the inquest into Armstrong Evans' death. In the past six years, five Exeter University student deaths were confirmed as suicides by coroners, with three more deaths likely to be determined as suicides at future inquests. Additionally, three suicides involved individuals who were not registered students at the time.
