Parents' mental health warning ahead of teens starting uni
Their daughter Natasha ended her life in her second year at Bristol uni.
The family of a young woman from Nottinghamshire who died by suicide at university in Bristol are encouraging parents of school leavers to check in on their children's mental health whilst they're away from home.
Natasha Abrahart was in her second year studying physics at the University of Bristol when she took her own life.
The 20 year old was found dead in her flat in April 2018, the day before she was due to present her work to staff and students in a 329 seat lecture theatre as part of her course.
A few weeks earlier she was diagnosed with severe social anxiety, which her department was made aware of.
Her dad Bob tells us it's vital parents make sure they're constantly checking in.
He said: "When it comes to well being, I think parents are still responsible for looking after the well being of their children.
"The universities have no duty of care towards their students, in terms of their well being or their welfare.
"So, somehow, the parents are having to take on board this long distance responsibility. It's quite difficult."
His wife Maggie added: "Our children want to be independent, they want to break the apron strings, but at the same time we have to remember that there aren't people looking out for them.
"Other than sadly, in some cases, the people they live with. Their flat mates.
"Even if your child that goes to university is not somebody that suffers a lot with their mental health, they may well be living with that person.
The Abraharts are now campaigning for a change in the system to ensure universities have a duty of care to their students.
A landmark court ruling found failings by Bristol university contributed to Natasha's death.
In a statement at the time, the university of Bristol said staff worked incredibly hard and diligently to support Natasha.
They're still considering whether to appeal the decision.