A fourth-year engineering student at the University of Bristol has died suddenly, the university has said.
University authorities said they had been informed of the death of Alex Elsmore, which reportedly took place on 21 April, and urged students and staff affected by the news to seek support.
A university spokesman said there appeared to be no suspicious circumstances and an inquest would be held in due course.
“We have been informed of the sudden death of one of our students, Alex Elsmore, a fourth-year electrical and engineering student,” the spokesman said.
“We would encourage any students or staff who are affected by this tragic news to contact university support services, as well as seek support from friends or family. Information about the help and support available can be found on our website under our staff and student pages.”
The university later confirmed that a second student had died suddenly, but gave no further information on the death.
Seven students have killed themselves in less than 18 months at Bristol University. Five students took their lives in a single academic year, three within weeks of each other.
The Bristol University vice-chancellor, Hugh Brady, pointed out in a recent interview with the Guardian that virtually every university has a number of suicides every year and mental health problems among students is a challenge across the sector.
Bristol has recently invested an additional £1m in mental health services, but proposals to reduce live-in support in halls of residence had to be amended after an outcry from students and staff. Concerns remain, however, among some members of the university community about the revised plans that are scheduled to be rolled out in September.
The university spokesman said: “We have spoken to Alex’s family, who have requested privacy at this very difficult time. Our thoughts are with them.
“It is immensely distressing for members of our university community to learn that one of our students has died, and we know it will be especially difficult for those who knew and studied with Alex.”
In the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.
