Spate of five suspected suicides of Cambridge University students prompts urgent review

A SPATE of five suspected suicides of Cambridge University students in four months has prompted an urgent review.

One of the deaths — all between March and June — has been confirmed as a suicide while the others are still being investigated.

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A spate of five suspected suicides of Cambridge University students in four months has prompted an urgent review[/caption]

The university’s senior pro-vice-chancellor Professor Graham Virgo, said it was reviewing the deaths with a new “rapid incident response group”.

He said the university — ranked fifth in the world by Times Higher Education — would work with the group and mental health charity Mind

The ambulance service, police and coroner will also be involved.

Prof Virgo said in a statement: “We’re shocked and saddened by the deaths of five students.

“Our thoughts are with the families and friends.

“I want to reassure you the university is taking this extremely seriously and is determined to work closely with partners to prevent future deaths.”

He added the university would invest £5million a year to enhance mental health and wellbeing support.

Measures will be taken to cut counselling waiting times.

A team of wellbeing advisers is being set up to identify students in distress.

AFP

Prof Virgo said in a statement: ‘We’re shocked and saddened by the deaths of five students’[/caption]