Documentary: Statute Duty of Care for students in Higher Education

My final project at City, University of London was a radio documentary exploring the proposed Statute Duty of Care for students in Higher Education that those affected believe could help prevent the unfortunate reality that 100 students take their own life each year. I spoke to parents and experts who have been affected by this tragedy, as well as the Department for Education and Robin Walker MP, Chair of the Education Committee.

This project was influenced by my own experience of student suicide, when my friend and flatmate took his own life in 2019 while we were living together. It completely shaped my awareness of the topic, and I have felt passionately about the topic ever since. I wanted to find out if this could be the answer to help the problem, and to see how supportive the government is on the issue.

I spoke to some incredible people with very difficult lived experiences, and I really appreciate them getting me speak to them about this emotional subject. Those included the parent’s of Natasha Abrahart, Bob and Maggie, coordinator of The LEARN Network Lee Fryatt, Mental Health campaigner Ben West, President of Union Development at Hull University SU Heuy Arslan, Chair of the Education Committee Robin Walker MP and the Dept for Education’s Student Support Champion and Vice Chancellor of Nottingham Trent University, Edward Peck CBE.

Please note this documentary discusses distressing themes from the start. for more information and support, please see the Samaritans website, www.samarians.org.