Students at risk of suicide due to ‘self-monitoring’ by peers, coroner warns

University students are at risk of committing suicide because of a culture of ‘self-control’ among their peersa coroner has warned.

Alexander Rogersa third-year materials science student at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, took his own life after a woman felt uncomfortable about their sexual encounter, an inquest heard.

The inquest concluded this month that his suicide was likely influenced by the “isolation he felt” after his existence ostracized by his fellow students.

Nicholas Graham, the area coroner for Oxfordshire, has now written to the Department for Education expressing his concerns about the kind ‘exclusionary behavior’ and ‘cancel culture’ The consequences of Alexander’s suffering are becoming increasingly common in British universities.

Graham warned that there could be more deaths if ministers do not take action to tackle the problem.

Alexander, 20, who was described at the inquest as “an extremely able and popular young man”, died after he was spotted entering the River Thames from Donnington Bridge in Oxford on January 15.

Emergency services retrieved his body from the water and determined that he had suffered head trauma.

The inquest found that after the young man discussed the woman’s “accusations” with friends, they told him that he had “messed up,” that they needed space from him and that they would release him a few weeks later check.

The two-day inquest was told he was “distraught after this conversation” and died the following day.

In his Prevention of Future Deaths report he stated: “There is concern that social exclusion has become normalized within student communities, with individuals seeing it as an expected and accepted response to certain accusations or behaviour.

“This normalization hinders the development of a healthy and supportive social environment.”

The coroner, who was asked by Alexander’s family to consider writing the report, added: “Social exclusion can have serious and lasting negative effects on mental health. It can lead to feelings of isolation, shame, guilt and worthlessness, all recognized risk factors for suicide.”

‘Self-regulating community’

Mr Graham warned that students at universities across the country are ‘self-policing their communities’ when serious allegations are made, and that this is happening without formal process or ‘proper evidence’.

In his factual findings following the inquest, Mr Graham had warned of the impact of “cancel culture” about students, writing: “The evidence… was that students could make quick judgments without knowledge of all the facts, avoid the accused, and avoid (a) ‘pile-on’ where a group would form a negative image about another individual.”

Mr Graham said he could not find that this culture had contributed materially to Alexander’s distress and his resolve on the day he died.

But he said the “cancel culture” might have influenced his peers “in making the judgments they did” and that it was possible Alexander felt there was no way to return because of this culture to his social group.

A serious incidents investigation after his death, commissioned by Corpus Christi College, identified a “worrying culture of social exclusion” within part of the student population.

Mr Graham noted that the university had already begun “with some vigour” to implement the recommendations from the external review.

His report has also been sent to Alexander’s family, as well as to the university and college. The Ministry of Education is legally obliged to respond within 56 days.

A spokesperson for the university said after the inquest: “The college has commissioned an independent investigation to review all learning in this case, with the aim of minimizing the chance of such a tragic loss happening again.

“A council working group has been established to further develop all recommendations, a number of which have already been implemented.

“The university is also working on the recommendations from the evaluation as part of its ongoing work on student wellbeing.”

Mental health support is critical

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “This is a tragic case and our thoughts are with Alexander’s loved ones.

“It is essential that students have access to the mental health care they deserve and that universities take all necessary steps to prevent suicides.

“We will work closely with the coroner, the higher education sector and suicide experts to ensure that the lessons from this case will inform our ongoing efforts to support student wellbeing.”

Whitehall sources said the Office for Students has been asked to allocate £15 million in funding this year to improve mental health services at universities so students can access timely and effective support.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.