Guidance for universities on preventing student suicides

Universities UK and Papyrus, the UK's national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide, have published guidance to help university leaders prevent student suicides.

At least 95 university students took their own lives in the 2016–17 academic year. Although data published by the Office for National Statistics shows the rate suicide among university students in England and Wales is lower compared with the general population, university leaders have said that there is no room for complacency.

Separate guidance aimed at university leaders and section practitioners includes advice on developing a strategy focused specifically on suicide prevention, covering the following areas:

• steps to prevent student suicide
• intervening when students get into difficulties
• best practice for responding to student suicides
• case studies on approaches to suicide prevention through partnership working
• checklist highlighting steps university leaders can take to make their communities safe