University Left Reeling After Law Student Commits Suicide

It was the school's eighth student suicide in the past 18 months.

We have some unfortunate news to report out of England, where a promising young law student took his own life one week ago.

Justin Cheng, a Canadian transplant studying abroad, was a third-year student at the University of Bristol Law School. Students were alerted to his death by Mark Ames, director of student services at the school. The Bristol Post has a statement on the sad news from Ames:

I am very sorry to confirm that Justin Cheng, a third year Law student from Canada, has died.

The police have told us they believe he took his own life. There were no suspicious circumstances and the coroner will hold an inquest in due course. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends.

It is immensely distressing for members of our university community to learn that one of our students has died.

We know that this will be especially difficult for those who knew and studied with Justin. If students or staff are affected by this tragic news, we would encourage them to contact university support services as well as seek support from friends or family.

Cheng is the eighth Bristol student to die in a suspected suicide in the past 18 months.

We here at Above the Law would like to extend our condolences to Justin Cheng’s family, friends, and colleagues during this extremely difficult time.

Most law schools have counseling and psychological services resources that students and graduates can turn to if they are in crisis or would like counseling, even after hours. If these services are not available at your school, and if you or someone you know is depressed and in need help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) or a lawyer assistance program in your state (don’t be fooled by the name; these programs also provide services to law students). Remember that you are loved, so please reach out if you need assistance, before it’s too late.

Bristol University law student Justin Cheng dies, believed to have taken his own life [Bristol Post]
Eighth university ‘suicide’ in Bristol in just 18 months as law student ‘takes own life’ amid “unprecedented rise in mental health difficulties” [Mirror Online]

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Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky has been an editor at Above the Law since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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