In a review commissioned by the Ministry of Education (DFE), the University of England was told to step up efforts to prevent students from committing suicide.

A report has been around for nearly two years, he said they should assess the safety of the student hall and be more involved in the family after the student dies.

Its recommendations are the first UK government to send university leaders advice to university leaders, including discouraging students from dying when students can attract attention from “suspicious places”.

Natasha Abrahart’s family enjoyed their lives at the University of Bristol in 2018, calling the review “surface.”

The BBC News first appeared in the National Review of Higher Education Student Suicide Death reviewed 169 suicide and serious self-harm cases in 2023-24.

It found nearly a quarter of events occurred in university-managed accommodation, which was known to have occurred at the site, and most people were excluded from the serious incident review process.

It says “suicide clusters” have special risks, which Public Health in England describes as “a situation where suicide rates exceed expectations in time, place or both”.

In a series of 19 recommendations, it requires the university to:

• Carry out security checks in university auditoriums and any areas where students die
• Consider dissuading people to “avoid taking attention as a place of suicide” in this area
• Better support students struggling academically
• Increase transparency and make family commitment a “key part” of the investigation process

The university is also asked to review visits to its mental health services.

Vika Zak, who studies animation at Nottingham Trent University, told the BBC that she felt the staff were with her when she reached out for support.

"They emailed me and I'm pretty sure they sent me a letter to let me know there are some services that I can take advantage of if I need it. It's really nice to know that."

Sam Lloyd, a product design student, said the university sent “a lot” of emails to let students know about support services.

“If you really need it, it’s easy to reach out,” he said.

But the comment says there is an opportunity to get mental health support across the field in terms of international students such as “awareness, marking and reviewing the needs of specific groups.”

“Although some reports identify the need for support services to ensure active follow-up after exposure, many are responsible for students seeking further assistance,” it said.

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Bob and Maggie Abrahart's daughter Natasha claimed his life while studying at the University of Bristol in 2018, calling the comment "shallow".

"There is no obligation to say something on tin," Abraham told the BBC.

“To have the minister say 'we want them to perform their duties and do the right thing’ is just a pie in the sky.”

He added that the university had previously obtained “suggested shelves”, including guidance issued by the University of the UK (UUK) to its 141 members.

Mrs. Abrahat said the university should bear legal liability, which would require all universities to act with reasonable care and skills to avoid harm to students.

"It's careful," she said. "It's unclear what is the job of a scholar and what is not."

DFE announced the review in 2023, with scholars from the University of Manchester being part of its state-secret investigation into mental health suicide and safety to be conducted independently.

When asked why legal obligations were not introduced, Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said there were “some legal challenges.”

“We do think that universities have a responsibility for general care for students,” she said.

"We will be absolutely clear about the university and it is their responsibility. We have provided the resources and we will continue to challenge them to achieve this."

Review is a time when colleges are under increasing financial pressure.

Students (OFS) said this month that more than four of England’s ten universities are expected to fall into financial deficits this summer.

Sir Steve West, vice president of the University of West England, and a UUK board member said universities need to study how to implement recommendations “effectively” and how to “prioritize”.

"It's easy to say (but) hard to do because there are all kinds of problems currently competing for colleges and we have to make choices," he said.

He added that standards should be implemented across the field, including whether universities should report to regulators.

DFE will meet with university leaders to discuss the results of this week's comments.

Other reports from Andrew Rogers of BBC Newsbeat.