As per the latest data released by Transforming Access to Student Outcomes in Higher Education (TASO) and the Policy Institute at King's College London, the number of UK students reporting mental health difficulties tripled. The estimate reveals that around 300,000 students could now be experiencing mental health struggles. Of the total, 18% of students reported some kind of mental health issue in 2024.

As per the reports, this estimate is triple what was reported in 2017, where it was at 6%. Experts also say that Covid-19 pandemic is "often considered to have contributed to this, it does not explain the ongoing rise in mental health difficulties." Another reason could also be the "changing definition and increasing openness about mental health" which has led to a rise in numbers. The report notes, "This trend pre-dates the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. Although these factors play a part in students' deteriorating mental health, they cannot therefore be the only explanation."

How Did The Report Conclude?

The report drew data collected over the latest Student Academic Experience Survey of 93,212 students. From the survey, it was found that there exist significant disparities between demographic groups, with women being twice as likely to report mental health difficulties, about 22% as compared to men, at 11%.

What Did The Results Reveal?

The results revealed that students who identified as LGBTQ experienced the highest rates of mental health challenges. This has actually lessened the hope that conditions for LGBTQ students are improving, which may not have been a positive case.

Of them, 42% are bisexual and lesbian students, whereas last year it was 35% and 32% respectively. The report also noted that mental health difficulties among lesbian women and gay men rose three times the rate of straight people, and among bisexual and asexual people, it was twice as high. For trans students, the number jumped from 25% in 2023 to 40% in 2024.

Is The LGBTQ+ Prone To Mental Health Crisis?

As per the Child Mind Institute, being LGBTQ+ does not cause mental health problems, but because these kids often face factors like rejection, discrimination and violence, they are at a higher risk of challenges including depression, anxiety, and even attempting suicide.

A UTAH Health study quotes Anna Docherty, PhD, LP, assistant professor of psychiatry at Huntsman Mental Health Institute that, "likely with any identity, feeling different - or worse, unaccepted as you are is a significant risk factor of mental health struggle." The data reveals that LGBTQ+ teens are six times more likely to experience symptoms of depression than non-LGBTQ+ identifying teens. They are also more than twice as likely to feel suicidal and more than four times as likely to attempt suicide. In the US alone, 48% of transgender adults report that they have considered suicide in the last year, compared to 4% of the overall population.

What Do These Findings Mean?

TASO's academic lead and professor of public policy at King's College London, Michael Sanders said, "LGBTQ students and women bear the brunt of the rise in declining mental health and urgent action is needed to understand and address these trends."

Just a day after GRAP-3 restrictions were removed from Delhi, the city's pollution levels worsened. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) lift the GRAP-3 restrictions on Thursday when Delhi recorded its average AQI at 377 at 4pm. However, by 8pm, the AQI as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)'s data was recorded at 381 by 8pm. Multiple stations also recorded "severe" range.

However, Delhi, as of 10am on Friday, 28 November, AQI was recorded 409, which is under "hazardous". In fact, as per the CPCB data, several areas like Anand Vihar and Burari Crossing, the AQI crossed 400, under 'severe' category, whereas areas like Mathura Road and Lodhi Road crossed 300, under 'very poor' category.

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Amid Delhi's continuously worsening AQI, the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant said that he cannot go out for his morning walk as it is causing him breathing issues. "The only exercise I do is walking. But even that is difficult now. Yesterday I walked for 55 minutes, and till morning I had problems,” the CJI said. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal also said that he has completely stopped going out for morning walks. "To breathe this obnoxious air...at out age..." he remarked. Earlier, Justice PS Narasimha warned lawyers about this "very, very serious" pollution levels and urged them to opt for virtual hearings to avoid health risks. "This pollution will cause permanent damage," he said.

However, CAQM believes that the pollution levels will improve by Friday. "Based on the forecast provided by the IMD and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, we were told the AQI will worsen marginally on Thursday as wind speeds will drop. However, by Thursday evening and from Friday onwards, winds are forecast to pick up again and so the AQI is not likely to touch 400 and into the severe category,” a CAQM official said.

Though experts do not agree. As per IIT Delhi professor Mukesh Khare, as reported in HT, says that even if AQI is improving, it "is likely to deteriorate again, so the decision to remove GRAP based on marginal improvement was illogical". "There is not much difference between an AQI of 320 and 350. We know conditions in winters are harsh and unpredictable and often unfavorable," he says.

Also Read: Amid CDC Anti-Vaxxer Deputy Pick and School Vaccine Law Ruling, Third Unvaccinated Kentucky Infant Dies

What Can Be Done To Protect Yourself Against Toxic Air Pollution?

Dr Rahul Chawla, a neurologist trained at AIIMS posted a video on his Instagram where he shared 5 ways to protect against Delhi's Air Pollution.

Stay Indoors

Dr Chawla suggested that one should stay indoors as much as possible. "You can open the windows and doors only between 1 and 3pm in the day, when you feel that the sun is bright, so that the house gets proper ventilation," he said.

Why 1pm to 3pm is the only time he suggests to have exposure with air? As per a 2023 study by an air filter brand, Delhi's air pollution peaked at 9AM and gradually improved as the day progressed. On an average, Delhi sees roughly as half as much PM2.5 by 5PM. Similarly, in Kolkata, the pollution peaks at 8am and is lowered by 4PM. This is why the safest time to have any sort of air exposure is in the afternoon. Pollution levels also tend to be slightly lower in the afternoon because it is when the sun is at its peak. This heats the ground and causes warm air to rise and mix with atmosphere. This helps disperse pollutants.

He also advised against cleaning inside the house using a dry cloth, and suggested wet cloth to be in use, so that dust does not rise. "Please do not light up things inside the house like burning dhoop (incense for worship), agarbatti (incense sticks), or anything else that causes excessive smoke,” he said.

Use N95 Mask

“If there are elderly people at home, do not let them go for morning walks or evening walks, and if there are children, do not let them play in the park. Exercise at home. You can go up and down the stairs. You can do yoga. If you have a treadmill or a stationary bike at home, you can exercise with it. You can do weightlifting,” he said. However, he suggested that if going out is absolutely necessary, then one must wear N-95 mask properly before stepping out.

Air Purifier

“If you can afford an air purifier, buy one. But keep in mind that the air purifier you are buying should be appropriate for the size of your room,” the neurologist advised.

Work From Home

The neurologist also suggested that if your company permits it, seek work from home option to reduce your exposure from toxic air.

Leave Delhi

Lastly, he suggested that if people can afford, and their profession allows, they must leave Delhi for a few weeks. “Because this city has become a gas chamber,” he warned.

Note: This article is not a medical advice and the information is derived from the video shared by the doctor. Please seek advice from your doctor before making any changes in your lifestyle.

The nation debate around vaccine has intensified in the US, and this week, it has taken a sharper turn as three separate developments have coincided in the country, all concerned with the administration of vaccines. Amid the controversial appointment of nation's top public health agency - the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and a major court ruling on school vaccine requirement in West Virginia, a third case of unvaccinated infant death is reported from Kentucky. The health officials confirm that the infant died of whooping cough, a vaccine preventable disease, which has reignited the debates around the use of vaccine.

Kentucky Confirms Third Unvaccinated Infant Death

While national debates continue, Kentucky is facing a direct and heartbreaking consequence of falling vaccination rates. Health officials have announced the death of another infant from whooping cough, bringing the total to three deaths in the past 12 months. The first two represented the state’s first pertussis deaths since 2018.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health did not disclose where the most recent death occurred. Officials expressed deep concern about the surge in cases and urged families to stay up to date on recommended vaccines. They stressed that vaccination protects not only individuals but also those who are too young or medically unable to be vaccinated.

As of November 19, Kentucky has recorded 566 pertussis cases this year. Infants under one year old face the highest risk of severe illness and death. The health department confirmed that none of the infants who died had been vaccinated, nor had their mothers received the recommended maternal pertussis shot during pregnancy.

Whooping cough begins with mild cold-like symptoms but can progress within weeks to violent coughing fits that make it hard for babies to breathe. Doctors warn that vaccination in pregnancy and infancy remains the most effective way to protect the youngest children.

A Controversial Choice Inside the CDC

The death of an unvaccinated child happened while anti-vaxxer Ralph Abraham, the former Louisiana surgeon general, was appointed as the new deputy director of the CDC. It has drawn immediate criticism. Abraham is now the second highest-ranking official at the agency, yet he has a long record of questioning mainstream vaccine guidance.

During the pandemic, Abraham openly supported the use of ivermectin, discouraged the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine and repeatedly criticized COVID-19 vaccines. While serving as Louisiana’s top health official, he instructed his department to stop promoting mass vaccination and stayed silent for two months during a pertussis outbreak that killed two infants earlier this year.

His appointment has alarmed public health experts, including his predecessor. Nirav Shah, who previously served as the CDC’s deputy director, told The New York Times that Abraham is not the right person for a role that involves leading emergency responses. Shah said that delaying public communication about infant pertussis deaths was unacceptable and called it shameful.

West Virginia Judge Expands Vaccine Exemptions

The debate over vaccine policy was further amplified after a judge in West Virginia ruled that the state must allow religious exemptions to its long-standing school immunization requirements. For decades, West Virginia has maintained one of the highest childhood vaccination rates in the country by permitting only medical exemptions.

Judge Michael E. Froble ruled that the policy violated the state’s religious freedom law, which was enacted two years ago. He said families who sought religious exemptions were being forced to choose between following their beliefs and accessing public education. His ruling now applies to all families who have previously requested religious exemptions.

The decision arrives at a time when measles and other vaccine-preventable illnesses are climbing nationwide. It also follows the appointment of Abraham to the CDC and ongoing remarks from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has repeatedly expressed skepticism about vaccine science. Together, these shifts are raising questions about how strongly the country’s health policies will hold in the coming years.

Ruth Codd, Irish actor and The Celebrity Traitors star revealed that she is now recovering from her second below-knee amputation. Codd, 29, was first shot to fame on TikTok during pandemic, and shared the news in a candid video on Wednesday.

What Happened To Codd's Leg?

She had her first leg amputated six years ago after a football injury in her teens, which led to repeated surgeries, chronic pain, and long-term mobility issues. Posting another video again from her parents’ home, she joked that her return to filming there felt like a “full circle moment,” but added that she could no longer record videos in her favorite room because it is upstairs.

"Just Had My Second Amputation"

In her TikTok update, Codd with a bit of humor revealed the news. “Good news, I’m back making TikTok content in my parents’ house. Bad news, I can’t do it in front of that lovely blue floral wallpaper any more, because I’ve just had my second below-knee amputation,” she said, adding, “So, a lot to unpack there for everyone involved.”

She also introduced her followers to her new wheelchair, affectionately named “Fat Tony,” joking that it has “the top speed of f*** all per hour, especially if there’s a step involved.” Her caption read: “No legs who dis? #paralympics2026.”

Codd’s latest surgery follows years of complications linked to her original injury. In a recent interview on FFTV’s YouTube channel, she revealed she had all her toes amputated in 2021. She had spent eight years relying heavily on crutches, which she said forced her to walk on her “tippy toes,” eventually destroying the joints in her foot.

Doctors had told her the foot would “never get any better,” and that worsening pain was making it increasingly difficult to work. “It’s gone past the point where they can do anything about it,” she told FFTV.

The Road To Recovery

The actor has spoken openly about the recovery process, explaining that she will have to wait at least a month for her limb to heal before she can begin using a prosthetic. Despite the challenges, her tone online remains upbeat and self-aware, reflecting the personality that first gained her a loyal audience during the Covid pandemic.

Codd’s TikTok content—often comedic sketches and videos promoting disability awareness, helped her amass more than 20 million likes in a year after she lost her job as a make-up artist and barber. Her success on the platform led her to acting roles in Netflix series The Midnight Club and The Fall of the House of Usher.

Earlier this year, Codd appeared in the first series of The Celebrity Traitors, where she impressed viewers with her sharp observations. She correctly identified Jonathan Ross as a “traitor,” but was ultimately eliminated in episode four. Reflecting on her time on the show, she described the experience as “surreal,” saying it still feels like she could “wake up from a very weird dream.” Despite the difficulties of her recent surgery, Codd continues to bring humor and openness to her situation, qualities that have defined her rise from TikTok creator to Netflix actor.