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."

After recalling lettuce that may have been linked to a severe nationwide Cyclospora outbreak in the US, Taylor Farms has now recalled 20 more products, including salsa and guacamole, over concerns about possible Salmonella contamination.

Taylor Farms also said on social media that none of its Taylor Farms-branded salad kits are associated with the outbreak. Most of the recalled lettuce was sold in large bags to food-service operations, including restaurants, with many products containing romaine lettuce.

Why Has Taylor Farms Issued Another Recall?

In a statement on August 9, Taylor Farms said the latest recall is tied to fresh jalapeños supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors. A grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, that supplies Coast Citrus was identified as a potential source of the Salmonella outbreak.

“Taylor Fresh Foods is no longer sourcing products from this farmer and will be filling orders from alternative suppliers,” the company said on its website.

Where Were the Recalled Products Sold?

The recalled products were sold in several states, including Texas, and distributed to major retailers such as Target, Walmart and Whole Foods.

Taylor Farms products were also recalled from Target, Trader Joe’s and Scarborough, Maine-based supermarket chain Hannaford across about 20 states.

Walmart said it had removed the impacted products from its stores and implemented a sales block at its registers and online. Kroger, Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Hannaford-parent Ahold Delhaize did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Jalapeños

The CDC and FDA said earlier this week that they were investigating a Salmonella outbreak that had sickened 345 people across 27 states and led to 36 hospitalizations.

The US investigation identified restaurants including Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba as having received jalapeños imported by Coast Citrus Distributors, Reuters reported.

Both restaurants stopped using the jalapeños, while Coast Citrus recalled the remaining product and notified customers.

USDA Issues Alert for Meat and Poultry Products

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has also issued a new public health alert for 18 meat and poultry products containing recalled jalapeño peppers potentially contaminated with Salmonella.

The products were made using jalapeños that had already been recalled by the FDA. Many of the affected products are sold under brands including Taylor Farms, Walmart’s Marketside and H-E-B. The products have expiry dates extending through August 15.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said the issue came to light after the FDA notified the agency that several meat and poultry establishments had received the recalled jalapeños as an ingredient.

The agency warned that some of the products may still be sitting in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers and advised people not to eat them. Retailers have also been told not to sell the affected products.

What Are the Symptoms of Salmonella?

Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of developing severe illness.

Contaminated food may look, smell and taste completely normal, meaning consumers cannot rely on appearance or taste to determine whether food is safe.

Consumers who have purchased products covered by the USDA alert should not eat them. They should discard them safely or return them to the place of purchase.

Anyone who develops symptoms after eating a potentially contaminated product should contact a healthcare provider and disclose the possible Salmonella exposure.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has stepped up enforcement across the food, beverage and FMCG sectors, with the drive gathering pace since July.

In recent weeks, FSSAI has acted against or scrutinised products and companies over misleading claims, hygiene and food-safety violations, non-compliant ingredients, labelling issues and failure to meet prescribed standards.

The action has covered packaged foods, liquor, edible oils, sweeteners and high-caffeine beverages.

What Has FSSAI Cracked Down On?

1. Dabur — “100%” Claims

FSSAI directed Dabur India to prohibit the sale of food products such as honey, cow ghee and edible oils carrying “100%” claims.

Dabur challenged the action, accusing FSSAI of favouring certain manufacturers. The company approached the Delhi High Court, which stayed the order, with Dabur arguing that the action was taken without allowing it to be heard.

Dabur also submitted that the “100%” claim is used by several other manufacturers. The matter will next be heard by the Delhi High Court on August 24.

2. Liquor Brands — Artificial Flavouring

The food safety regulator has banned the sale of select whisky and rum products from major liquor companies, including Diageo India’s United Spirits, after finding artificial or “nature-identical” flavouring that allegedly violates Indian food standards.

The affected products include United Spirits’ Antiquity Blue Whisky and Royal Challenge Whisky manufactured in Madhya Pradesh, Inbrew’s Bagpiper Deluxe Whisky and Old Cask Deluxe XXX Rum, and three variants of Old Monk produced by Mohan Rocky Springwater in Maharashtra.

3. VKC Nuts — licence suspended

The licence was suspended following serious food-safety and hygiene violations, including live insects in pistachios stored in the finished goods storage area, and heavy black mould and fungal growth observed on the walls and ceilings of the raw material storage area.

4. Chheda Specialities Foods — licence suspended

The Mumbai-based ethnic snack and namkeen manufacturer faced licence suspension over serious hygiene violations. Inspections reportedly found unhygienic handling, roof leakages, fungal growth near edible oil storage tanks and poor waste management.

5. Fortune Fryola — Vitamin D standards

Action was taken against AWL Agri Business after its fortified sunflower oil failed prescribed Vitamin D standards.

6. PIE Foods — monk fruit sweetener

Action involved related compliance issues. FSSAI also flagged product labels that lacked mandatory declarations and carried claims including “100% Monk Fruit Extract” and “Natural Ingredients”. Its e-commerce website also carried the claim “Doctor Recommended”.

7. High-caffeine beverages — “energy drink” claims

FSSAI has continued action over products using the term “energy drink” without meeting relevant standards. Brands involved include Red Bull, Monster, Sting and Adrenaline Rush.

Other Recent Actions

Switz Foods: Licence suspended over food-safety and hygiene violations.

Matri Drinking Water: Licence suspended over food-safety, storage and hygiene issues.

Noble Healthcare – Venolex Forte: Action over non-permitted ingredients and excessive Vitamin C.

Vatave Healthcare – Folineuro Syrup: Action over brain-function claims.

Global Healthfit Retail – Neuherbs True Vitamin: Action over product naming and claim-related compliance.

Why Does the Crackdown Matter?

Stronger enforcement could improve food quality, curb misleading claims and encourage manufacturers to comply with safety standards, experts say.

“Although late, this initiative of enforcement of correct ingredients of the products is very beneficial in the long-term health of the nation, especially the youth health, those who consume more of the packed items including beverages, canned food and drinks, fruit drinks and packed milk,” said Dr Mohsin Wali, Senior Consultant, Department of Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, told HealthandMe.

Why Clear Labelling Matters

Dr Wali said food labels should be properly sized, readable and clearly displayed, with key information prominently placed rather than hidden on the sides or bottom of packaging.

He also said ingredients should be clearly identified rather than represented through codes. If an emulsifier is used, for example, the specific emulsifier should be named.

According to Dr Wali, stronger enforcement could help prevent diseases including obesity, PCOD, atherosclerosis, heart disease, stroke and hypertension.

Bruce Willis’ wife, Emma Heming Willis, has opened up about “wrestling” with guilt over celebrating her 50th birthday while her husband continues to battle dementia.

The former model turned 50 in June and, in an Instagram post, wrote, “I’m ready for this new decade and all it has to offer.”

However, she admitted she was initially wary of celebrating because of her husband’s dementia struggles. At the behest of friends and family, she decided to mark the milestone. Still, she said she continued to wrestle with guilt about celebrating while Bruce Willis is living with a terminal condition.

‘I’m Always Carrying’ Guilt

Speaking on a podcast, Emma said she had not been “in the celebratory feelings” recently and was unsure whether she wanted to do anything for her 50th birthday.

A friend encouraged her to celebrate, reminding her that she did not want to miss marking the milestone.

“I always wrestle with it, you know?” she said. “I think guilt is something that I am always carrying, but I’ve learned that it is really not helpful. What I know is I always go back to what would my husband want for me?”

She explained that even ordinary moments of celebration can bring guilt, as she often feels there are other things she should be doing for her husband.

“There are moments [when] you want to do something, [but] you say, ‘Oh, but I can’t, I can’t. There’s a million other things that I need to be doing for him.’”

However, Emma said she believes the Die Hard star would want her to enjoy the milestone with the people she loves. She said he “would want me to have a big fun bash” and “would want me to celebrate my life with my friends and family.”

In March 2023, Bruce Willis, who dominated Hollywood during his career, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a degenerative condition that can affect communication, behavior and motor skills.

Emma On The Emotional Toll Of Caregiving

This is not the first time Emma has spoken about the guilt and emotional challenges of caring for her husband.

Emma, who has been his primary caregiver, previously said that Bruce is supported, loved and cared for by the family.

“You know, we’re doing well. My husband is supported and loved and we’re doing the best we can under the circumstances,” she said during an interview on Today in May.

Last year, at the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Forum in Las Vegas, Emma also spoke about the emotional impact of Bruce’s diagnosis and the unseen toll of caregiving. She recalled the day Bruce was formally diagnosed as one that left her feeling “lost, isolated and afraid.”

Caregiving is a respectable position, but it's also a challenging and thankless one. For those who are caring for loved ones with dementia or other chronic illnesses, the stress of "keeping it all together" can result in a condition called caregiver burnout.

"Caring for someone is the most intimate and demanding work of love," Emma explained, "but when you're not noticed or supported, it begins to undermine your health—mentally and physically."