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A Bristol Chemistry student has died

The undergraduate was 20


An undergraduate Chemistry student at the University of Bristol has died.

The 20-year-old student, Maria Stancliffe-Cook, is the 12th student fatality in Bristol in three years.

In a statement, her family described her as "a beautiful, intelligent girl who was much loved and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

"She was a hard working and diligent student. Words cannot express how saddened we are by her unexpected absence from our lives."

A University of Bristol spokesperson said: "There is nothing harder for our community than the death of one of our students. We have offered our support to Maria’s family and friends, and our thoughts and sympathies are with them all."

They have also encouraged anyone effected by the students death to seek help: "We encourage any members of our community who are affected by this news to make sure they contact University wellbeing services for help, even if they are away from Bristol for the summer holidays as well as seeking support from their own friends or family."

The cause of death will be determined at an inquest.

Daily drop-in sessions with a well-being team are now available at the university, where students are given advice and support or referred to counselling.

After nine fatalities at the University of Bristol, the university are currently spending £1 million on "well-being advisers" in order to improve mental health services. They have hired a team of 28 full-time mental health advisers who will be placed within academic departments across the university.

This happens in the first year of the university's new suicide prevention scheme, whereby well-being services have alerted the parents of 36 students over serious concerns about their son or daughter's mental health.

The university reviewed its mental health support in response to an increasing number of students struggling with depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions.

Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year: samaritans.org. If you need a response immediately, it’s best to call on the phone. This number is FREE to call: 116 123 (UK) 116 123 (ROI)

MIND, the mental health charity: mind.org.uk 0300 123 3393

Rethink Mental Illness: rethink.org: 0300 5000 927