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Suicide in Oxford University Students, 1976–1990

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Keith Hawton ,
Sue Simkin ,
Joan Fagg  and
Michael Hawkins
Keith Hawton*
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital
Sue Simkin
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital
Joan Fagg
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital
Michael Hawkins
Affiliation:
Childhood Cancer Research Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford
*
Dr Keith Hawton, University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX
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Abstract

Background

The aim was to determine the extent, characteristics and timing of suicide in Oxford University students.

Method

Students who died from suicide or undetermined cause between October 1976 and September 1990 were identified through University records and individual colleges. Information about each student was sought from coroners, college staff, general practitioners and hospital case notes.

Results

There were 21 suicides (16 men and 5 women) and one open verdict (female). The observed number of suicides (0) was greater than the number expected (E = 11.09) on the basis of mortality statistics for England and Wales (O/E = 1.89; 95% CI 1.17 to 2.90). When deaths due to undetermined cause were included, however, the difference between O and E (17.03) was much reduced (O/E = 1.29; 95% CI 0.81 to 1.95). There was no evidence of an association with the Finals examination but two-thirds of the students had been worried about academic achievement or their courses. Nearly half appeared to have had a psychiatric disorder (mostly depression).

Conclusions

The much publicised apparent excess of Oxford University student suicides may be partly artefactual. Measures for preventing student suicides include careful induction upon arrival at university, means of alleviating academic stress and worries, and readily available and closely associated student counselling and psychiatric services.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 166 , Issue 1 , January 1995 , pp. 44 - 50
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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