Bristol university student takes own life - the seventh in 18 months
Canadian Justin Cheng was in his third year of a law degree
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Your support makes all the difference.A Canadian man is believed to have become the seventh student at Bristol University to take their own life in just 18-months.
Justin Cheng, who was in the third year of his law degree, was found dead on 12 January, the university confirmed.
“The police have told us they believe he took his own life,” said Mark Ames, director of student services, in a statement.
“There were no suspicious circumstances and the coroner will hold an inquest in due course. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends.”
Cheng is believed to be the seventh Bristol University student to have taken his own life since October 2016.
Inquests into the deaths have revealed no link between them.
Four months ago, the university announced a £1 million investment in its student support services.
“We are seeing an increasing number of students who struggle with the transition to university life, and an increase in the number of students who have additional support needs, including mental health issues," Mr Ames said in September.
“We are hoping to get on to the front foot and be much more proactive in our work with students.”
A new Student Wellbeing Service – due to launch at the end of February – will be run by wellbeing advisers whose role will be to identify students who are struggling at an early stage and enable them to access support.
The investment followed a review of the university's support services begun in summer 2016 and carried out amid growing national concern regarding the wellbeing of students.
The number of university students with mental health problems is now at its highest level and is five times higher than a decade ago, according to a study by the The Institute for Public Policy Research think tank last year.
The same study found that university services are “overwhelmed” by the increase.
More recently, an investigation by The Independent found that students often have to wait more than four months for counselling and mental health support.
James Harris, associate director of communications at mental health charity Rethink Mental Illness, said: "We know that many people struggle with their mental health at university. It can be a stressful and disorientating time in a new environment away from usual support networks."
He added: "More needs to be done to make sure no students are falling through the cracks. We urge universities to ensure that they are providing accessible and good quality support so that young people are able to get the help they need before they reach crisis point."
The Samaritans offers support 24/7. Call them on 116 123 or visit their website.
South West News Service
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