The incidence of suicide in University students in England and Wales 2000/2001–2016/2017: Record linkage study

Abstract

Background: There are growing concerns about the mental health and risk of suicide amongst university students. Aim: To investigate trends in the incidence and characteristics of university student suicides in England & Wales for the academic years 2000/01 to 2016/17. Method: Record linkage between Office for National Statistics mortality data and Higher Education Statistics Agency data for England and Wales. Poisson regression and chi-squared tests were used to investigate secular trends and the characteristics of students dying by suicide. Results: There were 1,330 student suicide deaths from 2000/01 to 2016/17; the annual incidence in 2015/16-2016/17 was 4.7 per 100,000 students. There was evidence of a rise in incidence since 2009/10 (incidence rate ratio per year 1.04 ((95CI 1.00-1.07) p=0.029). Incidence in 2012/13 to 2016/17 was less than half the rate in the general population of a similar age. Incidence was higher in males than females and amongst undergraduates vs. postgraduates. There was some evidence of a reduced risk amongst black compared to white students (RR 0.53 (95%CI 0.32-0.88). Incidence was highest in January and lowest during the summer holidays (July-September). Limitations: There was no age/sex or sociodemographic breakdown of the overall student population for 2000/01 to 2011/12. Conclusion: Rates of suicide are considerably lower amongst students than the general population. In keeping with trends in young people in the wider population, the incidence of student suicide has increased since 2009/10. To inform prevention, research is needed to understand reasons for the rise in suicide in young people.

Trends in mental health, non‐suicidal self‐harm and suicide attempts in 16–24-year old students and non-students in England, 2000–2014

“…There was evidence of a rise in NSSH between 2000 and 2014, but this was evident in students and non-students. In keeping with national data on rates of suicide in students [10], a smaller proportion of students than non-students appear to report making suicide attempts, with no clear evidence of adverse trends over time. It is possible the rise in CMD evident in females in 2014 was linked to the rise in fees in 2012.…”

Predictors of mental health and academic outcomes in first-year university students: Identifying prevention and early-intervention targets

“…25 A recent study of Spanish university students reported comparable 12-month prevalence and persistence of suicidal ideation; with a mood disorder diagnosis increasing risk and a higher sense of university membership having a protective effect. 29 Peaks in student suicides have been associated with exam periods and winter months, 11 which is relevant to our study as outcome data were collected just prior to final exams in March.…”

Accurate Diagnosis of Suicide Ideation/Behavior Using Robust Ensemble Machine Learning: A University Student Population in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region

“…This age group in many countries belong to high school and university students. In England, the rate of university students’ suicide has increased since 2009 [ 2 ], and, in the USA, death by suicide was ranked second among the same age group [ 3 ]. Suicide is more prevalent in developing countries, and, according to global statistics, around 79% of the annual suicide rate belongs to developing countries [ 1 ].…”