University staff in Wales have described in grim detail how they have witnessed death, self harm and medical emergencies in the continuing student mental health crisis. Support staff said they have dealt with student death, incidents of self harm and sitting with suicidal students for hours waiting for ambulances.
The evidence was given as part of an inquiry into mental health on campus by the Senedd Children, Young People and Education Committee. Staff such as cleaners, security and house keeping staff are often at the sharp end when students hit crisis, but lack training, the committee was told.
Evidence from Unison, the union representing university support staff, included one member, at an unnamed university, who said: “I have witnessed self-harming in students and also, unfortunately I witnessed a student death and also a major medical incident which led to a student having life-saving surgery.”
