Universities could face “immense difficulty” adjusting their teaching and learning support for students with hidden or emerging disabilities, after landmark ruling awarded £50,000 in damages to a student’s estate after her suicide.
A judge ruled that the University of Bristol failed to make adjustments to the way it assessed Natasha Abrahart’s academic work, leading her to commit suicide in 2018 while in the second year of a physics degree.
The judge found that while Natasha had no declared disabilities when she began her studies, emerging social anxiety caused her to repeatedly avoid attending the oral assessments required to pass her course. Although the university considered making adjustments that might have allowed Natasha to complete the tests, nothing was done at the time of her death.
Julian Sladdin, a partner at the Pinsent Masons law firm, said the outcome of the case was unusual in a number of ways, including the issue of a university’s support for a student with disabilities, and the way that support, or lack of it. , may have resulted. in tragedy
“In terms of general principles, I think the problem with this case is that universities will always be in situations where they have students who may not be declared, or who may not have a clear diagnosis of disability when they arrive at the university, and it may be that they are later diagnosed.
“In those situations, obviously, the Equality Law applies to those students, and it is necessary to make adjustments for those students and provide them with support.
“And I think what this case highlights is the immense difficulty around that in terms of how to apply those adjustments and how do you provide that support to students throughout the course,” Sladdin said.
Sladdin said that under the Equality Act, universities had an obligation to provide support for disabled students, including for learning and assessment, meaning universities needed to have “effective systems to manage that”.
The National Union of Students He said the tragedy highlighted the mental health struggles many students face at universities and colleges.
A NUS spokesperson said: “We extend our condolences to the friends and family of Natasha Abrahart following today’s trial. We are deeply concerned about the mental health crisis, which is only getting worse for students.”
Susan Lapworth, acting chief executive of the Office for Students (OfS), England’s higher education regulator, said Bristol and other institutions “will want to carefully consider this judgment” and make sure they are taking action in response.
“All universities and colleges should have effective measures in place to support students experiencing mental health difficulties. This includes help to continue their studies and provide access to effective support services,” said Lapworth.
“OfS will continue to work with a variety of partners to help ensure that students of all backgrounds receive timely, personalized and appropriate support when they have concerns about their mental health.”
A spokesman for universities UK said the sector has committed to identifying and supporting students who may be at risk.
“Across the UK, we are seeing an increase in the number of young adults experiencing mental health problems, and this is reflected in higher education with a growing demand for student support services at our universities and NHS partners.
“UUK has requested [the] The government urgently provides additional mental health funding for universities and commissions student-oriented NHS services,” the spokesperson said.
In the United Kingdom, samaritans can be contacted at 116 123 and domestic abuse helpline is 0808 2000 247. In Australia, the crisis assistance service Life line is the 13 11 14 and the national family violence counseling service is at 1800 737 732. In the US, the suicide prevention lifesaver is 1-800-273-8255 and the domestic violence hotline it is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found through befrienders.org.
