Doctors linked to Oxford's universities fear the closure of an emergency psychiatric unit in the city will lead to an increase in suicides.

The College Doctors Association is campaigning against proposals to axe the Barnes Unit, at the John Radcliffe Hospital's casualty unit, which treats patients who deliberately take overdoses or injure themselves - including about 50 students every year.

In a letter to the Oxford Mail, chairman and Radcliffe Infirmary eye specialist Dr Peggy Frith, and secretary and GP Dr Neil MacLennan, said: "It is proposed that the work currently done by the Barnes Unit be taken on by the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team.

"But they have no expertise in patients presenting to A&E with attempted suicide and barely cope with their own work of supporting patients with severe mental illnesses in acute crisis.

"It is likely that closure of the Barnes Unit would lead to more hospital admissions and an increased number of deaths by suicide. It would be a false economy."

They said the unit's specialist team of senior psychiatric nurses and psychiatrists had "unparalleled expertise in dealing with attempted suicide" and could give students quick outpatient support during a crisis, before referring them back to their GPs or the University Counselling Service.

They explained that the unit also provided an "invaluable service assessing and treating patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a condition that has its highest prevalence in young people and which can have a disastrous affect on students".

According to the Oxford Student Mental Heath Network, many studies have shown that students suffer higher levels of anxiety than other groups in the community.

This is caused by a number of factors, including being away from their homes and families, relationship problems, the pressures of work and money troubles.

The College Doctors Association's fears come as Mind and the Oxford University Student Union prepare to hold a Stress Day' to help students, which will include information about how to cope with exam pressures, tips on relaxation and advice about sleeping problems.

Patrick Taylor, of Oxfordshire Mind, said: "Students can be particularly at risk of mental health problems - and with 20,000 around Oxford, that makes it a big local issue.

"Right now, £6m is being cut from NHS mental health funding in Oxfordshire. That's just shocking, especially when you know the Mental Healthcare Trust has not been overspending or running up a deficit.

"This is going to affect students and many others in Oxfordshire who need mental health services. We need to see a stop to these cuts before it's too late."

A spokesman for Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare Trust said: "We have not taken any decisions about the future of this unit, as we're currently consulting on this as part of our service reconfiguration consultation.

"Whatever changes are taken as a result of the consultation, we will retain a physical presence at the John Radcliffe Hospital."

The Mind and OUSU Stress Awareness Day is due to take place on Friday, from 11am-4pm, at Trinity College Sutro Room.