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This protocol outlines the actions to be taken by the Student Support and Wellbeing (SSW) services and other relevant parties in the event of a student death by suicide.
Student Support and Wellbeing (SSW) services
The UCL Student Support and Wellbeing (SSW) department includes several distinct support services, administered through the following teams: Disability, Mental Health and Wellbeing team; Student Psychological and Counselling Services (SPCS); Wardens and Student Resident Advisers in UCL-managed accommodation.
The SSW services are free and available to all UCL students. Students can self-refer to any of the SSW services. SSW services ordinarily rely on students proactively seeking and choosing to engage with support.
Contacts
Information that a student may have taken their own life needs to be passed on to Student Support and Wellbeing (SSW) as soon as possible. The relevant members of staff, in the order in which they should be contacted, are as follows:
- Mitesh Vagadia - Head of Student Support and Wellbeing (Development, Campaigns and Projects)
- Denise Long - Director of Student Support and Wellbeing
- Chilima Sianyeuka - Head of Student Support and Wellbeing (Disability, Mental Health and Wellbeing)
Additional information if a student death by suicide occurs in a UCL hall of residence
In the event of a death or suspected death in a hall of residence, staff members should follow the procedures outlined in the first part of the Student Support and Wellbeing protocol in the event of a student death.
Read the SSW protocol in the event of a student death.
Role of the coroner
A suicide needs to be confirmed by a coroner.
It is important to remember that we can only talk of suspected suicide until a suicide has been confirmed by a coroner. The coroner needs to have a clear evidence of suicide, such as a suicide note. A conclusion is reached on the balance of probabilities, which means that the coroner or jury need to believe that it was more likely than not that the person has taken their own life.
Communication with the student’s family
SSW communicates with the family and supports them in any matters, such as travelling to the UK or coming on campus to meet with staff and/or students.
Communication with the department, hall of residence and any Students’ Union clubs or societies that the student may be part of
SSW agrees with the student’s family what information can be shared with the UCL community. SSW shares information with the academic department about the incident, which is disseminated to staff and students via the appropriate internal communication channels. Students are reminded to be respectful in the way the incident is discussed and in posting information on social media. Remembering to stay mindful of the need for privacy and the feelings of the student’s relatives and friends is essential.
Open conversations to remember the student and express emotions are helpful. They allow space for those affected to grieve and support each other. Students are also encouraged to engage with professional support.
Information and support for the UCL community
This is communicated to students as appropriate via their department, hall of residence and Students’ Union clubs and societies.
All information about the death of a student is shared proactively and as appropriate to avoid rumours and speculations; students are kept up to date and information is provided in a consistent and caring manner. The wishes of the family of the student who has died are respected in the way in which information is shared and the level of details provided.
Students and staff are reminded that any communication needs to be respectful of the family.
Support is offered as soon as possible and is communicated to students both in person and via printed and online resources. Support may include the following:
- Group support sessions delivered by psychological therapists;
- Individual appointments with psychological therapists;
- Individual appointments or group sessions offered by the UCL Chaplain and Interfaith Adviser;
- Telephone bereavement counselling, provided by UCL 24/7 Student Support Line: +44 (0) 808 238 0077;
- Appointments with SSW Advisers if students are unsure what the most appropriate support for them might be;
- Academic support with extensions to deadlines and time away from study, which may be provided by the relevant academic departments.
Support for UCL staff
If you are a UCL staff member, you can seek support from your manager and engage with support through Workplace Health.
Review
UCL assists the coroner by providing any information as available and required. UCL reviews the circumstances leading up to the students death, this can include how they were coping with their academic work, any support arrangements both within and external to UCL, friendships and peer networks at UCL, financial concerns and any other personal pressure points.
Where appropriate, UCL engages external consultants to conduct an incident review and implements changes in line with the recommendations of the review. Students struggling with their mental health will most likely be under the care of NHS services. If a student is under the care or had been recently referred to any NHS service, UCL will work collaboratively with that service to review the incident and identify and address any potential issues, gaps or contributory factors. The review process will include highlighting any recommendations and an action plan to ensure timely completion. As many UCL students live and study in the Borough of Camden, UCL has committed to working specifically with the NHS Camden and Islington Foundation Trust. There are established protocols in place to ensure this close connection, and an agreement to work in partnership to review a student death.
UCL strives to create an inclusive, caring and supportive environment for all students. Inclusion and care for each other reduce isolation and as such reduce the risk of student suicide.