Trial set to decide if the University of Bristol contributed to ‘incredibly intelligent’ student’s death

The university denies that it owed the student any relevant legal duty of care
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A trial to determine whether the University of Bristol contributed to a student’s suicide is set to begin this week.

Natasha Abrahart’s body was found in her private flat in April 2018 - the day before she was due to give a presentation to fellow students and staff in a 329-seat lecture theatre.

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The second-year physics student had been diagnosed with chronic social anxiety disorder that February.

Natasha Abrahart, 20, was found dead in her flat the day before she was due to give a presentation to fellow students and staff at the University of Bristol.Natasha Abrahart, 20, was found dead in her flat the day before she was due to give a presentation to fellow students and staff at the University of Bristol.
Natasha Abrahart, 20, was found dead in her flat the day before she was due to give a presentation to fellow students and staff at the University of Bristol.

She is at least the tenth student at the University of Bristol to take their own life since October 2016.

Student told staff member she had ‘suicidal thoughts’

Natasha, who was 20-years-old at the time of her death, had been a high-achieving student until her second year, her family said.

Academic staff had become aware that she was struggling and was experiencing anxiety and panic attacks in relation to oral assessments that she was required to take as part of her course.

Natasha is at least the tenth student at the University of Bristol to take their own life since October 2016.Natasha is at least the tenth student at the University of Bristol to take their own life since October 2016.
Natasha is at least the tenth student at the University of Bristol to take their own life since October 2016.
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In February 2018 a university employee received an email from Natasha’s account that read: “I’ve been having suicidal thoughts and to a certain degree attempted it”.

An inquest into Natasha’s death in May 2019 concluded that she had been neglected by mental health services.

But the senior coroner for Avon, Maria Voisin, had ruled that the adequacy of support provided to Natasha by the university was outside the scope of the inquest.

What the family say

Natasha’s parents, Robert and Margaret Abrahart, have since filed court documents challenging the university’s role in Natasha’s death.

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The University of Bristol has denied that it owed Natasha any relevant legal duty of care.

Robert Abrahart, 65, said: “Natasha was an incredibly intelligent and academically able student who had her entire life ahead of her.

“We believe universities should owe a legally enforceable duty of care to take reasonable steps to avoid harming the mental health of their students.

Natasha with her parents Robert and Margaret, who say they want ‘lessons to be learnt’ in the wake of their daughter’s suicide.Natasha with her parents Robert and Margaret, who say they want ‘lessons to be learnt’ in the wake of their daughter’s suicide.
Natasha with her parents Robert and Margaret, who say they want ‘lessons to be learnt’ in the wake of their daughter’s suicide.

“Given repeated assurances from the University of Bristol and other institutions about how much they care about student wellbeing, I think most students and parents would be surprised to learn that the existence of such a duty is being disputed in this case.”

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Margaret Abrahart, 60, said: “Nothing can make up for losing Natasha, but we’re determined to ensure that all relevant events which led up to her death are fully scrutinised.

“We want lessons to be learned and student safety improved where possible.

“We’re bringing this case to court for the benefit of all students, especially those living with mental ill health and other disabilities.”

What the University of Bristol say

A spokesperson for the University of Bristol said: “Natasha’s death deeply affected everyone at the University and our thoughts and sympathies are with the Abrahart family.

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“Like all universities, schools and colleges, we are deeply concerned by the increase of mental health issues amongst our young people nationally.

“We do our very best to support any student who is struggling with their mental health and have a wide range of services available. However, it is important that students receive appropriate specialist care under the NHS.

“At the time of Natasha’s death in April 2018, she was under the care of Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership.

The 20-year-old told a university employee that she had been struggling with suicidal thoughts.The 20-year-old told a university employee that she had been struggling with suicidal thoughts.
The 20-year-old told a university employee that she had been struggling with suicidal thoughts.

“We are fully committed to working with our partners in the NHS, charities and across the higher education sector in a collaborative effort to ensure we are collectively providing the best possible support for students in their studies.

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“We recognise the immense efforts of our committed staff to support Natasha, but we are by no means complacent.

“Mental health is one of the biggest public health issues affecting young people globally – not just those studying at University.”

BristolWorld has contacted the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership for comment.

Trial to begin next week

The family’s lawyers, Irwin Mitchell, say they will argue that the university owed Natasha a legal duty of care, which it then breached.

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Separately, they will argue that the university breached equality laws when it failed to adjust its regime of oral assessments in light of Natasha’s social anxiety disorder.

They claim this caused a deterioration in Natasha’s mental health, leading to her death.

The trial is due to start at Bristol County Court on 1 March and is expected to last seven days.