Published today by Universities UK in partnership with PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide and Samaritans, funded by the Office for Students, the guidance Responding to a suicide: advice for universities is written by the sector for the sector with advice from practitioners, experts and bereaved families.
Our strategic guidance for universities to be places that promote mental health and wellbeing.
You can view this publication here on our website, or download it as a pdf.
Commenting on speculation that the UK Government may look to cut international student numbers, Vivienne Stern MBE, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said:
Universities across the UK are stepping up to provide extra support in the cost of living crisis. The need to do so was brought into sharp focus as students around the UK are struggling to cope with the cost of living according to a new survey investigating its impact on university students.
The UK's research is world-leading and internationally excellent. The latest data shows that universities are at the heart of research and innovation across the country.
Ahead of the autumn statement on 17 November, we are urging the Chancellor to recommit to uplifting investment on research and development. This long-term investment will ensure that universities can continue to support growth and prosperity across the whole of the UK.
Universities across the UK are today insisting they can play a bigger role in generating economic growth and are calling on the new Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, and his government, to create the conditions to accomplish this in a new report.
The government is being warned that jobs and talent are at risk, and over 100 local innovation, skills and business support projects teetering on the brink, because of delays and complications as European Union funding for local skills and training partnerships ends.
Our universities bring jobs, investment and facilities to our local communities, and will be at the heart of addressing economic and social disparities. But to do more, we need the government to work with universities.
UK government ministers are being warned that any U-turn on their commitments to grow international student numbers could result in billions of pounds in lost revenue, wreck their growth plans, and damage local economies in their own constituencies.
Universities need to have clearer policies on how and when they should involve family, carers and trusted friends when there is considered to be a serious risk to the welfare of a student.
University students who go on placements as part of their degree need better support, with placement providers and universities working more closely together to reduce mental health and wellbeing risks.
This guidance, first published in 2018, supports UK universities to prevent student suicides. We have published guidance on supporting placement students and information sharing.