The University of Essex recognises the tragic loss of any suicide, and its profound and lasting impact on family, friends, fellow students, and the wider University community. We recognise that universities play a key role in helping to prevent suicides and that this requires a whole and one University approach, with the need for the University community to work in close partnership with students, parents and guardians, local government, the NHS and other statutory services.
The Student Suicide Prevention and Response Plan 2021- 24 forms part of a “one University” response to supporting our students’ wellbeing. It is intrinsically linked to our Education Strategy and People Supporting Strategy and underpins our commitment to supporting every student from every background to achieve outstanding outcomes and preparing them to thrive in their future lives.
We want all students and staff to understand its importance, and the role it plays as a foundation for learning and academic achievement. We are committed to ensuring that students and staff at our University are as suicide-safe as possible, and our plan has been informed by best practice guidance contained in University UK’s Suicide-Safer Universities.