University of Bristol investigating ‘unrelated’ suicides of three fresher students since start of term – as families slam lack of support
Parents claim there is not enough support for students after the freshers were found dead at their halls of residence
THREE students have died at one of Britain's top universities in suspected suicides.
The teenagers - all believed to be freshers - have died in ‘unrelated’ incidents at the University of Bristol since September.
They are all understood to have died in their halls of residence and none of the deaths are being treated as suspicious.
One of the students, Miranda Williams, from Chichester, took her own life just three weeks into her first term.
She was studying philosophy and was a member of the Jazz Funk Soul Bristol society, according to an email from the students' union announcing her death.
An online fundraising page in her honour said she passed away three days after she "decided to take her own life" on October 10.
A message on the page from Emily Williams, understood to be her 22-year-old sister, said the family blamed her death on the stigma against anxiety and depression.
Staff at Flax Bourton Coroner's Court near Bristol said the cause of her death was not yet ascertained and was pending toxicology results. An inquest into her death has now been adjourned until next year.
Another of the students, Kim Long, died last week after writing a "loving" suicide letter to his parents.
The 18-year-old, from Penzance, Cornwall, was in his first year at the university and had been studying law.
Writing on an online tribute page, his parents Viv and Tai Long said: "We have lost our dearest, loveliest and only son. Kim took his own life last week.
"He was considerate to the end by leaving us a loving letter which helps us to respect and accept his choice.
"May he rest in peace."
Kim's uncle, Richard Bate, asked people not to judge the teenager, who was a “truly old soul in a child's body".
The third student has been named locally as Daniel Green, from Lymington, Southampton, Hampshire.
He was found dead in the university's Goldney Hall accommodation on October 21.
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The father of another fresher has now criticised the university for failing to publicise the deaths.
He said there is not enough pastoral support for students when they first leave home and that the issue is "something which should be discussed".
The dad, who asked not to be named, said: "I don't think there is enough pastoral care for students once they arrive at university. It is quite a step-up from sixth form.
"When I was told about the three deaths I was surprised there was no official news about it.
"I think it is something which should be discussed and people made aware of."
The University of Bristol said investigations were underway into the tragedies.
A spokesman said: "Sadly we can confirm there have been three unrelated student deaths this term.
"These events are always extremely upsetting and our thoughts are with the students' families and friends.
"Our student welfare services are offering support to anyone affected.
"It would be inappropriate for us to comment on the cause of these deaths until the coroner has undertaken independent inquests, although we understand that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding them.
"We will, of course, be investigating if there is anything we need to do to learn from these sad events but we have no reason to believe they represent a wider issue."
A survey carried out by the National Union of Students last December found that a third of students questioned had had suicidal thoughts during the year.
Of those who took part, 78 per cent reported battling mental health problems.
In 2014, the latest year for which figures are available, the Office for National Statistics reported 130 suicides among full-time students in England and Wales.
It was the highest number since figures were first recorded in 2007 and, of those, 97 were men.
Earlier this year it was reported that an investigation was being held after five student suicides in the course of a single year at the University of York.
Yesterday, it also emerged that a brainy student jumped to her death on A-level results day because she missed out on her first choice university.
Harpreet Kaur Hallaith, 18, attended prestigious Wolverhampton Girls’ High School and needed two A* grades and one A from her subjects in order to get a place studying Russian and History at Durham University.
But she was heartbroken after achieving one A and two Bs after getting “stressed” about her exams earlier this year.
She later wrote a letter confirming an “intention to take her life” and left the note, along with a number of possessions, at the top of High Rock in Bridgnorth, Shropshire.
Bristol University Student Union's student living officer, Stephen LeFanu, said the organisation was now working hard to improve pastoral care.
He said: "Starting university can be extremely difficult.
"Some new students are without their support networks from home for the first time, and will be experiencing new academic and social pressures.
"Rising fees mean that students are also increasingly under a great deal of financial pressure, with many taking on part-time work alongside their studies.
"Many people will also experience complex mental health difficulties, regardless of their environment.
"We are also currently working with the University of Bristol to begin a review of pastoral support in halls and schools, which will take place next year.
"We will continue to campaign for better funded services. This must be a priority for students' unions and universities."
Do you need help? Contact The Samaritans on 116 123 or visit . PAPYRUS HOPELineUK also provides confidential suicide prevention advice and support to young people and others worried about them tel 0800 068 4141 text 07786 209 697 email [email protected].