University alert over Covid toll on mental health of its students

A CORONER has warned a university to take steps to protect students from the mental health impact of the pandemic after an undergraduate took his own life.

- Mark Reynolds

Christopher Wilkinson told staff at Southampton University that Covid's "interruptions to study" and "dysregulated life" took a significant toll.

Mechanical engineering undergraduate Matthew Wickes, 21, killed himself on the day his exam results were due to be released on June 30, 2022.

Mr Wilkinson, senior coroner for Hampshire, has questioned the support Matthew received from staff.

The "highly intelligent" student was on track for a first-class degree before his academic scores saw a "big drop off" and a "ticking time bomb' countdown began in his head until his results were published.

An inquest heard Matthew may have been suffering from long Covid and missed several meetings with his project supervisor in his third year.