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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you too attend a candlelight vigil tomorrow evening in Edinburgh, Bristol or London

235 replies

Sophforthe100 · 03/03/2023 19:54

.. for the 100 students every year who take their own lives every year.

The law needs to change so that Universities have a duty of care to their students.

Fine out more: www.forthe100.org.uk/vigil

I'm a very regular Mumsnetter who has name-changed to post this.

OP posts:
bonjello · 03/03/2023 19:56

Do they not already have a Duty of care? I am surprised by this. I recognise one of the names on the website - a very sad case.

Original poster
Sophforthe100 · 03/03/2023 20:02

They do not have a legal duty of care. Please support and sign the petition.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sophforthe100 · 03/03/2023 20:04

At my son's Uni students are only allowed to visit the mental health support service once per academic year. It's appalling.

OP posts:
Moonicorn · 03/03/2023 20:06

Gently YABU. Students are adults, albeit very young ones. All universities have support they can access but they need to ask for it. You have to want to help yourself, and I don’t think an educational facility can be blamed for these tragic outcomes.

Bamboux · 03/03/2023 20:09

How many young people 18-22 kill themselves each year while not at university? Do you not think they deserve care also?

No, I don't think that universities- whatever their failings - should be made legally responsible for the actions of their adult students.

bonjello · 03/03/2023 20:10

Sophforthe100 · 03/03/2023 20:04

At my son's Uni students are only allowed to visit the mental health support service once per academic year. It's appalling.

Gosh that's bad

bonjello · 03/03/2023 20:11

Bamboux · 03/03/2023 20:09

How many young people 18-22 kill themselves each year while not at university? Do you not think they deserve care also?

No, I don't think that universities- whatever their failings - should be made legally responsible for the actions of their adult students.

I don't know but I'd like to know.

It's very tragic. Every death a tragic loss.

bellac11 · 03/03/2023 20:19

Bamboux · 03/03/2023 20:09

How many young people 18-22 kill themselves each year while not at university? Do you not think they deserve care also?

No, I don't think that universities- whatever their failings - should be made legally responsible for the actions of their adult students.

I agree. And the mental health support for anyone should come from the NHS (yes I know thats a joke) rather than the university. The university supports should only be seen as a back up or complementary support, if someone has MH issues their first port of call is the GP

furryfrontbottom · 03/03/2023 20:29

Any young death is a tragedy, whatever the person's educational attainments or status, but I can't see why the Universities should be held responsible.

Supersimkin2 · 03/03/2023 20:35

Universities aren’t responsible and neither are companies, libraries, shops or clubs for user healthcare. They can’t be responsible for student health, whether it’s cancer or piles or suicide.

It’s horribly sad, but the family and the NHS are two institutions who’ve already got the job.

Not to mention the adult themselves.

ThreeFeetTall · 03/03/2023 20:36

I think NHS mental health services need to be better funded. And info given to new students about how to access it.

MrNook · 03/03/2023 20:45

Signed

Toddlerteaplease · 03/03/2023 20:51

furryfrontbottom · 03/03/2023 20:29

Any young death is a tragedy, whatever the person's educational attainments or status, but I can't see why the Universities should be held responsible.

Completely agree. And As adults students have a right to confidentially. If they don't want their parents told. It should be respected.

elgreco · 03/03/2023 21:01

No, universities should not be legally responsible for adults killing themselves, that's insane.

Runnerduck34 · 03/03/2023 21:04

I've signed. Of course the NHS should provide better MH provision
and sadly you can't always prevent suicide but I think unis should have greater accountability for raising a cause for concern, checking in on students, contacting parents and student support being available when needed and being able to make referrals onto MH services.
It is tragic.

GCAcademic · 03/03/2023 21:05

How many young people 18-22 kill themselves each year while not at university? Do you not think they deserve care also?

The suicide rate in that age group is actually higher for non-students than it is for students. Of course, every suicide is a tragedy, but it feels like no one cares about young people who aren’t at university; the media focus is almost entirely on students.

ELCismyspiritnana · 03/03/2023 21:05

I don't agree they have a duty of care as such, but there should be better support. The University of Edinburgh have launched a new initiative to tackle this, which is currently being rolled out through their schools, so it is being addressed, which is great.

bellac11 · 03/03/2023 21:10

GCAcademic · 03/03/2023 21:05

How many young people 18-22 kill themselves each year while not at university? Do you not think they deserve care also?

The suicide rate in that age group is actually higher for non-students than it is for students. Of course, every suicide is a tragedy, but it feels like no one cares about young people who aren’t at university; the media focus is almost entirely on students.

Its a most bizarre concept, that a 19 year old say,, who lives in their own home and works at Subway is considered fully independent

A 19 year old who is at university and lives in their own rented home is considered still the responsibity of their parents, both financially and now its being suggested that the university also have responsbility for them.

Ive never understood this.

XenoBitch · 03/03/2023 21:16

The only place there should be a legal duty of care and responsibility with suicide is in an acute psychiatric setting.

There should be better support though, but that applies for everyone in all walks of life, not just students.

Mummyof287 · 03/03/2023 22:00

Signed....definitely seems like universities need to offer more support.4 suicides happened in 10mths at my local university, and many students and parents report how appaling the mental health support/pastoral care is there.

Original poster
Sophforthe100 · 03/03/2023 22:28

Employers have a legal duty of care to their staff.

Prisons have a legal duty of care to prisoners.

Universities should have a legal duty of care to their students.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sophforthe100 · 03/03/2023 22:29

bellac11 · 03/03/2023 21:10

Its a most bizarre concept, that a 19 year old say,, who lives in their own home and works at Subway is considered fully independent

A 19 year old who is at university and lives in their own rented home is considered still the responsibity of their parents, both financially and now its being suggested that the university also have responsbility for them.

Ive never understood this.

Show quote history

There are examples of Universities who did not contact the parents when they knew a student was suicidal.

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 03/03/2023 22:30

Sophforthe100 · 03/03/2023 22:28

Employers have a legal duty of care to their staff.

Prisons have a legal duty of care to prisoners.

Universities should have a legal duty of care to their students.

Not with suicide. Ultimately, the decision to end a life is down to the person doing it.
And I say that as someone who has tried several times.

Original poster
Sophforthe100 · 03/03/2023 22:31

ELCismyspiritnana · 03/03/2023 21:05

I don't agree they have a duty of care as such, but there should be better support. The University of Edinburgh have launched a new initiative to tackle this, which is currently being rolled out through their schools, so it is being addressed, which is great.

I hope so, because ate the moment students at the University of Edinburgh are only allowed one visit to student mental health support per academic year.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sophforthe100 · 03/03/2023 22:32

Supersimkin2 · 03/03/2023 20:35

Universities aren’t responsible and neither are companies, libraries, shops or clubs for user healthcare. They can’t be responsible for student health, whether it’s cancer or piles or suicide.

It’s horribly sad, but the family and the NHS are two institutions who’ve already got the job.

Not to mention the adult themselves.

Companies do have a legal duty of care for their employees.

OP posts: