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."

Panic has gripped the residents of two villages in Rajasthan's Salumbar district, where five children have reportedly died within five days. The reason: an unknown disease characterized by a sudden onset of fever that worsens rapidly, and claims the lives of children within 24 hours.

According to officials, the children who died were between 2 and 4 years old, and all of them developed high fever, convulsions, and vomiting before their condition worsened rapidly.

Besides the five children who died, another 8 children are reportedly showing similar symptoms of the unknown disease.

The incident has been reported from Ghata and Lalpura villages in Lasadiya block.

The Disease Yet To Be Identified

The deaths have created fear among villagers, who submitted a memorandum to the SDM and health officials, seeking immediate action and identification of the disease.

District officials, along with a medical team, have reached the villages. The District Collector has ordered an inquiry. Medical teams are currently stationed in the villages, according to local media reports. Blood samples and other tests are being conducted to check for viral infection, brain fever, or any seasonal illness.

After preliminary treatment, five of the eight children newly affected with the mystery illness were referred from Lasadiya CHC to Udaipur District Hospital. Meanwhile, three children were referred to Salumbar District Hospital.

"Seventeen teams have been deployed in Lalpura and Ghata villages. Around 562 families live in this area," said Dr. Dinesh Rai Sapela, Additional District Collector.

Health teams are also conducting door-to-door screening, as well as collecting blood samples. These samples have been sent to RNT Medical College in Udaipur for testing.

“The exact cause behind the deaths is not yet known. It could be a viral infection or a seasonal disease, but confirmation will only come after test results,” said BCMO Dr Sintu Kumawat.

Meanwhile, Gayatri Rathore, Principal Secretary of the Medical and Health Department, stated that the Chief Medical and Health Officer of the Salumbar district has been instructed to form teams of health workers to ensure intensive screening of children exhibiting fever symptoms—not only in the affected villages but also throughout Salumbar and its surrounding regions, media reports said.

“Immediate treatment will be provided to any child showing symptoms. Critically ill children are to be referred without delay to district hospitals or medical college facilities,” Rathore said.

Authorities have also initiated preventive measures against possible mosquito-borne diseases, including anti-larval activities, source reduction, and fogging operations in the affected areas.

The Delhi government has announced the expansion of the newborn screening program to improve long-term health outcomes of children.

The move is aimed at achieving near-universal screening at government health facilities and outreach centers, according to an official statement.

From the earlier mandated 1.5 lakh children, the government has expanded the Mission ANMOL (Advanced Newborn Monitoring for Optimal Lifecare) to 2.5 lakh infants to ensure early detection of congenital disorders, PTI news agency quoted the officials as saying.

“The scale-up would enable early identification and management of metabolic, endocrine, functional, and visible congenital conditions, improving long-term health outcomes,” said Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh.

Notably, the program will focus on timely intervention and follow-up care for conditions such as

• congenital hypothyroidism,
• congenital heart defects,
• hearing impairment,
• retinopathy of prematurity.

What Is Mission ANMOL

Mission ANMOL was announced by the Delhi government on March 24, 2026, during the Delhi Budget session 2026–27.

Under the ANMOL scheme, 56 types of tests will be conducted using a single drop of blood from newborns, completely free of cost in both public and private hospitals.

Delhi Chief Minister, while presenting the Budget, said the scheme aims to ensure that such tests are not seen as a burden.

"Children are dear to all, they are ‘anmol' (translated as invaluable). To prevent genetic disorders, which are extremely expensive to treat, we are launching this scheme," the Chief Minister said.

Also read: Cancer Is The 10th Leading Cause Of Death In Indian Children: Study

How Will Mission ANMOL Work?

Mission ANMOL will adopt a technology-driven and integrated approach aligned with national guidelines to make comprehensive newborn screening a standard practice across Delhi's public health system.

To support implementation, the government has approved 148 positions under the program, including continuation of 73 existing staff and addition of 60 staff nurses and 15 optometrists, according to officials.

The nurses will assist in sample collection, especially for pre-term and critically ill infants, and help coordinate care and transport, while optometrists will support screening for retinopathy of prematurity, they said.

The initiative will also strengthen coordination among hospitals, laboratories, and program units to ensure all newborns are screened before discharge, with special emphasis on high-delivery-load hospitals and neonatal intensive care units.

Singh said the expanded program reflects the government's commitment to strengthening neonatal healthcare and ensuring that no child is left behind.

Also read: 41 million children aged 5-19 living with high BMI in India: Study

Why Newborn Screening Is Important?

Newborn screening can find the disease before the baby looks sick, and enable early treatment and possible cure for many genetic and metabolic diseases.

Genetic disorders can be life-threatening, impact growth, and even lead to physical and intellectual disabilities. The early screening tests detect hidden conditions early, preventing irreversible brain damage or physical disabilities.

Screening within 24 to 72 hours of birth can provide early access to medical care.

The screening test typically collects a blood sample from the heel of the baby by pricking, and the sample is sent to a laboratory for a biochemical test for screening of inherited conditions.

South Africa's National Department of Health has announced that it has received a first consignment of 37,920 doses of the groundbreaking, six-monthly HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir.

Lenacapavir is the first twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) product that can help tackle the burden of HIV worldwide.

South Africa has the world's largest HIV-positive population of approximately 8 million people, with over 6 million currently on antiretroviral treatment.

“The department will, in the next few weeks, announce the official launch of this game changer where the phased implementation plan will be outlined,” said department spokesperson Foster Mohale, in a statement.

"Lenacapavir is preventive medicine, not a vaccine, considered one of the most exciting HIV prevention advances in years," Mohale said.

The Department noted that the medicine is expected to be sustain nearly half a million people in South Africa over the next two years, the statement said, adding that is will be officially rolled out in May.

Notably, the initial phase will target high-incidence districts and vulnerable groups.

What Is Lenacapavir?

Lenacapavir is a critical tool for reaching the Global AIDS Strategy goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Lenacapavir injection as an additional PrEP option offers a highly effective, long-acting alternative to daily oral pills and other shorter-acting options.

With just two doses per year, lenacapavir is a transformative step forward in protecting people at risk of HIV -- particularly those who face challenges with daily adherence, stigma, or access to health care.

Marketed under the brand name Yeztugo, lenacapavir, developed by global pharma major Gilead Sciences, costs $28,218 per person per year.

However, it is being provided to South Africa through a $29-million USD grant from the Global Fund.

The shot was tested in two major studies involving high-risk groups: one with young women and teenage girls in South Africa and Uganda, and another with gay men and gender-diverse individuals in several countries. In both cases, the results were striking.

The women who received the shot had zero new HIV infections, compared to around 2% in those on daily pills. In the second study, the twice-yearly shot proved just as effective for men and gender non-conforming individuals.

“This really has the possibility of ending HIV transmission,” said Greg Millett of amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.

Lenacapavir: How Does It Work?

Yeztugo is administered as two small injections in the abdomen, forming a medication "depot" that slowly releases the drug into the body over six months.

However, people must test negative for HIV before receiving it, as it doesn’t treat existing infections or prevent other sexually transmitted diseases.

Lenacapavir: Why Access Is A Challenge?

Despite its potential, concerns remain over who will actually benefit from lenacapavir.

In the US, only about 400,000 people currently use any form of PrEP — a small fraction of those who could benefit. And structural issues like cuts to public health funding, limited insurance access, and stigma pose significant barriers.

Globally, the challenge is even greater. While Gilead has struck deals with six generic drug makers, including four Indian, to provide low-cost versions of the shot for 120 low-income countries, critics argue that middle-income nations have been left out.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima noted that at current prices, the shot “will change nothing” for many who need it.