Grieving couple whose daughter, 20, killed herself at Bristol University call for new ‘duty of care’ measures after staff failed to act on her email plea for help

The heartbroken parents of a ‘hard-working and high-achieving’ student who committed suicide are calling for the duty of care to students to be made a legal requirement for universities.

Natasha Abrahart was studying physics at the University of Bristol when she was found dead in her flat in April 2018.

The 20-year-old had already attempted suicide during the winter term and university staff knew she was having a hard time.

In February 2018, she emailed a university employee saying, “I have suicidal thoughts and have tried to some extent.”

The 20-year-old, who suffered from social anxiety disorder, was due to take part in a group presentation to staff and students in a 329-seat lecture.

Before the presentation, known as a laboratory conference, Natasha had difficulty completing individual interview-based assessments.

Her parents Robert and Maggie successfully sued the University of Bristol in 2022 after a judge ruled the institution had breached its obligations under the Equality Act by failing to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for Natasha in light of her debilitating anxiety .

Judge Ralton, who works at the Civil Justice Center in Bristol, also ruled that the university had indirectly discriminated against Natasha because of disability, and treated her unfavorably because of the consequences of her disability.

The university was ordered to pay Natasha’s parents £50,000 in damages and was invited to agree an amount towards her funeral costs.

In December last year, the university appealed to the High Court, arguing that the judge was wrong to find that she knew, or should have known, enough about Ms Abrahart’s condition to adjust the assessments.

But a ruling in February rejected the university’s appeal.

The Abraharts, who are part of the ForThe100 campaign – a group that provides support to families of students who died by suicide at university – are now fighting to make the duty of care to students a legal requirement for higher education providers.

According to the group, 100 students commit suicide every year.

Last year the group presented a 120,000 petition to Parliament, forcing a debate in the House of Commons, but no changes were made to the current legislation.

But as thousands of students start their university year, Natasha’s father has said he will continue his fight the mirror that ‘universities have a duty of care to their students’.

‘After Natasha died, we were shocked to learn that she was the tenth of eleven students to die at Bristol University within an 18-month period. “It felt like many of these students lost their lives due to indifference and we don’t find that acceptable,” he said.

A spokesperson for the University of Bristol said: ‘We care deeply about all our students and staff and that is why the mental health and wellbeing of our community is at the heart of decision-making within the university. This also includes offering appropriate, accessible services and interventions. We continue to develop and improve our services to support people who need help.”