Aberdeen University chiefs have implemented a raft of improvements to student services following the sudden death of a law student last year.
Professor Margaret Ross, one of the vice principles at the institution, also insisted the university provided Emily Drouet with “appropriate” support in the weeks leading up to the tragedy.
The former head of Law at the university made the comments just one week after Angus Milligan, 21, appeared in court and admitted carrying out a campaign of abuse against Miss Drouet in the days before her death.
The body of the 18-year-old, who was in her first year at the university, was found in her halls of residence in the early hours of March 18 last year.
Police immediately launched an investigation, but found there were no suspicious circumstances.
Milligan, who was Miss Drouet’s boyfriend, admitted repeatedly assaulting the young student and sending her abusive messages shortly before she died.
After the incident it emerged that Miss Drouet had sought help from the university who offered to contact the police on her behalf.
However the teenager said she did not want to report the abuse.
Last night Prof Ross said she believes the institution did all it could to prevent the tragedy.
And she explained procedures had been greatly improved as part of efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students.
She said: “Having reviewed the circumstances surrounding Emily’s death, we are satisfied that the level of support offered by the university prior to her death was appropriate, based on our knowledge of the circumstances at the time.
“After Emily’s tragic death, we looked at the pattern of events in the preceding weeks and months, and we looked at the supports that we provided – all of which were provided in accordance with what our normal expectations would be.
“But we do seek to learn from this, and we’ve put in place a raft of new procedures.
“One of the things we developed was a mental health policy and action plan – we’ve increased the level of training for staff across the university in identifying mental health concerns and risks of suicide.
“Another is that our counselling service last summer was experiencing a lot of demand, so we’ve brought in extra counselling sessions and limited the service to student use only, for the moment, and created a separate resource on staff so the unit can focus on student referrals.
“What we’re looking at is a spectrum of support to make sure students are well, and safe.”
For people who might be seeking some support in coping with life, Breathing Space is a free, confidential service which can be contacted on 0800 838587.
The Samaritans offer a free and confidential emotional support service and are available 24 hours a day, every day, on 116 123 or e-mail jo@samaritans.org