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."

Doctors and health experts across the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia are warning parents about a dangerous social media trend involving gel-filled "squishy" sensory toys, including the popular NeeDoh Nice Cube.

This trend has children microwaving the toys after watching viral online videos that claim it makes them softer. In many cases, the toys exploded, spraying scalding gel that caused severe burns, permanent scarring, and hospitalization in some cases.

The Viral Squishy Toy Trend

The viral challenge got children to microwave, heat or even freeze sensory toys before squeezing them.

The thick gel inside these toys can rapidly build pressure when heated. When the toy bursts, it ejects extremely hot, sticky gel that clings to the skin, making burns deeper and more difficult to treat.

The danger is particularly high as the skin of children is thinner. Additionally, they often hold the toy close to their faces.

Alarming Incidents Across Countries

Several children around the world have suffered serious injuries due to the trend. One of the most widely reported cases was 9-year-old Caleb Chabolla from Illinois, who microwaved a NeeDoh Nice Cube after believing it would become softer.

As he removed it from the microwave, the toy exploded, leaving him with second-degree burns to his face and hands. He was taken to a specialized burn center.

In Australia, 10-year-old Violet Zerbst suffered severe facial burns after microwaving the toy. When she squeezed it, boiling gel splashed across her face. Her father shared the traumatic experience to warn other parents.

Also read: Recurring UTIs In West Bengal Toddler Reveal Rare Metabolic Disorder - Cystinuria; Here's What Parents Should Know

Another recent case involved 7-year-old Livi Barnard in the UK, whose mother says a NeeDoh toy leaked hot liquid onto her hands, causing painful burns and blisters that required repeated hospital dressing changes.

In one case, the toy exploded without being microwaved. In West Virginia, a teenager was burned after a squishy toy that had been left inside a hot car exploded, releasing hot sticky material onto her legs.

Doctors at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow have seen multiple children with similar burn injuries over recent months, with some requiring skin grafts and long-term care.

Doctors Issue Urgent Warning To Parents

Burn specialists say that these injuries are far more serious than they seem. The hot gel sticks to the skin, continuing to transfer heat for a longer time even after the initial explosion.

In severe cases, while children have required skin grafts, some have been placed in medically induced comas to protect their airways after extensive facial burns.

Medical experts are urging parents to:

• Never allow children to microwave, heat, or freeze squishy toys.

• Warn children about dangerous viral social media challenges.

• Keep sensory toys away from hot cars and other high-temperature environments.

• Seek immediate medical attention if a burn occurs, especially if the gel sticks to the skin or affects the face or eyes.

The manufacturer of NeeDoh, Schylling, has already put warnings on product packaging stating that the toys should never be heated, microwaved, or frozen.

US President Donald Trump was seen with a visible neck rash and a bruised right hand that appeared to be covered with makeup during the 2026 NATO Summit in Türkiye, drawing renewed attention to his health. However, the White House has continued to insist that the 80-year-old president, the oldest America has ever had, remains in good health.

The 2026 NATO Summit was held at the Beştepe Presidential Complex in Ankara, Türkiye, from July 7 to 8.

Trump's Bruised Hand And Neck Rash Spark Attention

The back of Trump's right hand—visible beneath white sleeves fastened with presidential cufflinks—looked noticeably darker than the surrounding skin, suggesting it may have been covered with makeup, The Independent reported.

The recurring discoloration has attracted attention in recent months. Similar bruising, often accompanied by visible cosmetic coverage, has been photographed during Trump's appearance at a UFC event at the White House in June and after a meeting with coal miners in February. Some photographs have also appeared to show similar markings on his left hand.

A neck rash was also visible above the president's shirt collar. Trump additionally appeared unsteady on his feet, particularly while using stairs.

Also read: Donald Trump Posts AI Video of Himself Treating Critics for 'Derangement Syndrome'

Erdoğan Seen Guiding Trump At Welcome Ceremony

During the summit's welcome ceremony, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 72, was seen taking Trump by the arm and guiding him into position.

Both Trump, 80, and Erdoğan have faced public scrutiny over their physical and cognitive health. Trump has drawn attention for rambling speeches, apparent dozing during public events, and the recurring bruising on his hands. Erdoğan has similarly been the subject of discussion over verbal stumbles, moments of confusion, and a slower walking pace.

White House Dismisses Health Concerns

Read More: New Book Examines Donald Trump's Health, Age Concerns; White House Responds

The White House has repeatedly dismissed concerns, attributing the bruising to the physical demands of Trump's public schedule.

"President Trump is the sharpest, most accessible, and energetic president in American history," White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said in a statement provided to The Independent. "The President is a man of the people and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other President in history."

In February, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also said the bruising resulted from frequent handshaking.

Following Trump's most recent medical examination in May, White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella said the bruising was consistent with "minor soft tissue irritation related to frequent handshaking" while the president was taking aspirin as a preventive measure against cardiovascular disease.

After his check-up at Walter Reed, Trump wrote on Truth Social that "everything" had "checked out PERFECTLY."

Public attention has also focused on other aspects of Trump's appearance in recent months. A swelling around his ankles and occasions during official events when he appeared to keep his eyes closed for extended periods have been raising health concerns.

The White House has previously said the ankle swelling is caused by blood pooling in the lower legs, describing it as a common condition among older adults.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently in the middle of one of the worst outbreaks in the history of Ebola. On Tuesday, a World Health Organization (WHO) official spoke about the challenges that are making it harder for the authorities to contain the outbreak.

WHO Doctor On Challenges In Containing DRC Ebola Outbreak

Since the outbreak and as of July 4, Congo ⁠has ⁠confirmed 1,561 cases, including 506 deaths, in the worst-ever outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola for which there is no proven treatment or cure yet. Currently, more than 10,000 contacts are being monitored.

Dr Anne Ancia, WHO’s representative to the DRC, said, “It is still in the expansion phase, unfortunately. The outbreak’s true scale has not yet been fully established. We would like to say it is stabilizing, but frankly, we cannot say it yet.”

Speaking from Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, which is at the heart of the outbreak, she added that WHO is strengthening its understanding of the history of every case of infection “so that we can really understand the chain of transmission and isolate every contact case.”

Overwhelmed Treatment Facilities

Pointing to the challenges in containing the outbreak, the WHO representative said that Ebola treatment centres are “at saturation point”. One of the main administrative difficulties that health officials are facing is high occupancy levels, with some around 90%.

She said, “I visited treatment centres in and around Bunia, Beni, Butembo, Katwa, and I met frontline workers responsible for patient care, contact tracing, investigating alerts and sensitising and mobilising communities.”

She also praised the frontline healthcare workers: “I witnessed firsthand the dedication of staff who continue to serve their communities despite enormous challenges."

Dr Ancia added, “Today, we do not have enough ambulances, warning that all the needs in Ituri province cannot be met.

Read more: Uganda Says Ebola Is Contained After Nearly Two Months Of Outbreak; Seeks To Get Travel Restrictions Removed

Population Movement

The WHO official also spoke about the high risk of transmission due to population movement. She said that the workers in the mining town of Mongwbalu are not seeking medical assistance locally, but are travelling to other regions, increasing the risk of transmission in new areas.

Dr Ancia said, “Population movements, persistent insecurity and the fragility of the health system continue to complicate efforts to bring the outbreak under control.”

Misinformation

While updates about new cases of Ebola have not surfaced, misinformation about the disease has been rife in several Congolese communities.

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, there have been reports that some local communities believe that the disease is a hoax or was brought into the country by Western aid workers who wanted to make a profit.

What Makes This Ebola Outbreak Deadlier?

While Ebola is not a new disease, the current outbreak poses a significant threat because it is caused by a rare strain of the virus, Bundibugyo. Unlike previous outbreaks dominated by the Zaire strain of Ebola, the current epidemic, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, is an uncommon species of the Ebola virus family.

The rarity of the strain has created scientific and emergency public health challenges, as there is currently no licensed vaccine to protect against the Bundibugyo Ebola virus.

When Ebola from Zaire strain broke out, vaccination became an important part of outbreak control. Hence, in the current epidemic, public health officials are being forced to rely heavily on rapid diagnosis, infection prevention, surveillance, and existing medical care.