A new study from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has shown stark gaps between different groups of university students in terms of suicide risk. Among the “160 higher education students taking this step each year”, the analysis has found that certain groups are more at risk. As David Mais from the ONS said:

Men, part-time students and undergraduates are found through this study to be at the greatest risk, and we hope that insights like this will help target support as much as possible.

Between 2016 and 2023, there were “6.9 deaths per 100,000 students, lower than the 10.2 deaths per 100,000 people in the general population of similar ages”. However, for men specifically, the rate was “10.4 per 100,000 students”, with women standing at “4.3 per 100,000 students”.

In addition to being “men, part-time students and undergraduates”, other factors that increased risk were age, ethnicity and living situation. Students over 25 years of age were more at risk than younger students. White students were more at risk than Black and Asian students. And students living independently were more at risk than those living with parents or guardians.

Student suicide figures

The ONS reported that an improvement in its methods allowed it to offer more accurate information. But it didn’t look into the reasons behind the patterns it found. Nor did it note differences like class or disability in student suicide. This is particularly relevant because, as research about the general population reveals, both poorer people and disabled people are more at risk of suicide.

We do have hints of an answer in other research, though:

• Men tend to be more at risk because of toxic social norms about men needing to be tough, solve their own problems, and keep their emotions inside.
• Undergraduates tend to be younger, at a time of life transitions and less stable support networks.
• Part-time students are likely to be older, juggling study with work, caring responsibilities, or financial strain.
• People living alone or in a new environment may not receive the regular social contact and support that living with family may provide.

Regarding ethnicity, previous reports have noted numerous challenges in accurately analysing the risk of suicide, such as ethnicity not always appearing on death certificates. More specific group designations, meanwhile, sometimes show a fuller picture. Mixed-ethnicity people, for example, reportedly have an even higher risk of suicide than their white counterparts.

Cultural or religious differences may, however, have an impact on the help-seeking dynamics, support structures, or reporting practices within particular communities. But there seems to be little research in this area.

Featured image via the Canary