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<p>Mental health is a priority for this government, which is why we continue to work
closely with Universities UK (UUK) on embedding the Step Change programme within the
sector. Step Change calls on higher education (HE) leaders to adopt mental health
as a strategic priority and adopt a whole-institution approach to mental health, embedding
it across all policies, cultures, curricula and practice.</p><p> </p><p>In addition,
the government actively backs the introduction of a sector-led University Mental Health
Charter, launched in June 2018. This will drive up standards in promoting student
and staff mental health and wellbeing. It will invite universities to meet high standards
of practice, including in areas such as leadership, early intervention and data collection.</p><p>
</p><p>HE institutions (HEI) have legal responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010
to support students, including those with mental health conditions. It is for HEIs
to determine what welfare and counselling services they need to provide to their students
to offer that support.</p><p> </p><p>The information requested is not held centrally
regarding student suicide. However, in June 2018, the Office for National Statistics
released experimental statistics estimating suicide among higher education students
in England and Wales which can be found following this link: <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/estimatingsuicideamonghighereducationstudentsenglandandwalesexperimentalstatistics/2018-06-25"
target="_blank">https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/estimatingsuicideamonghighereducationstudentsenglandandwalesexperimentalstatistics/2018-06-25</a>.</p><p>
</p><p>The government has worked with UUK, the Office for Students, and other stakeholders
to develop guidance on measures to help prevent suicide and deal sensitively with
issues that may arise when tragedy does occur. This guidance was published in September
2018, ahead of the 2018/19 academic year.</p><p> </p><p>As independent and autonomous
bodies, HEIs are responsible for decisions regarding required training for their staff
and have a duty of care to their staff, like all employers, as well as to their students.</p>
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