Shanghai Maritime University told China Daily yesterday that it did not force Yang's mother to move out. Instead, "we tried our best to work with Yang to help her find alternate accommodation for her and her mom", a spokesman for the university said.

Yan Zhengwei, principal counselor of Shanghai Wales Clinic, said that Yang's death may be directly related to her family's financial situation.

"She was probably very dissatisfied with herself and had difficulty adjusting to the new environment in Shanghai," Yan said.

Shan Huaihai, a doctor at the Xuhui District Mental Health Center in Shanghai, suggests that psychological health centers in universities and communities should play their part in suicide prevention, and professional training is urgently needed.