Beat the bullies

According to research by Beatbullying, the UK bullying prevention charity, around half of all students have experienced bullying at some stage. Each week around 450,000 students are being bullied at school and a further 500,000 are being bullied outside of the classroom within their local communities. At least 20 young people every year commit suicide as a result of being bullied.

Further advice on dealing with bullying can also be found at www.bullying.co.uk.

Tombstoning ends in disaster

A 20-year-old man faces a life of permanent disability after jumping from a Cornish beauty spot this month. He suffered serious spinal injuries and told lifeguards who had to drag him from the sea that he had no feeling in his legs after he leapt from Sharrow Point in Whitsand Bay. Witnesses said the student, from Plymouth, had been drinking heavily before he threw himself into the sea after lifeguards had warned him not to.

Into the red

Do you suffer from facial redness, flushing or pimples? Is your poor complexion affecting your confidence or self-esteem? You may have rosacea, a skin condition that causes flushing and redness in the central part of the face. The condition affects several million people in the UK with one in 10 adults likely to develop rosacea. It mostly affects fair skinned people aged between 30 and 50 but teenagers and people in their early 20's can also experience symptoms.

For more information and advice on how to treat rosacea, visit www.myrosacea.co.uk

Developing health

If you are a trainee doctor, nurse or midwife considering taking a post in a developing country, you may be keen to get your hands on the 2nd edition of the Developing Health CD-ROM, which has just been launched. The core material in the CD is based on an annual two week residential Developing Health course covering a wide spectrum of medical, surgical and obstetric conditions together with dentistry, management and conflict zones. Material includes presentations, photographs and video clips on many topics. There is also information on diseases common in developing countries including leprosy. The CD is free to those who are currently working in a developing country, and those who are not are required to make a small donation.

To request a copy email healthserve@cmf.org.uk.

New website launched

Lancaster University has launched a new website dedicated to supporting students with mental health difficulties. The project aims to disseminate good practice in the field of student mental health through staff training, network development and the production of this new web-based planning, guidance and training manual. Lancaster University's head of student support Sylvia Brennan said, 'Research has pointed to a rise in reported incidence of student mental health difficulties within the higher education sector. This new website is to assist in the development of policy and practice around all major aspects of student mental health.

View the site at www.studentmentalhealth.org.uk.

Irish student nurses get allowance

Irish Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has announced the introduction of a childcare allowance for Northern Ireland's student nurses. Nursing and midwifery students with dependent children will now be entitled to childcare costs up to £1,185 per year. This has been recommended as part of an ongoing Review of Student Support. A further change to take effect as a result of the review is the removal of the Single Parent Allowance, which will be replaced by a Parental Learners Allowance. Its introduction will lead to an increase in the number of students able to access the allowance.

Crumbling under exam pressure?

Most students can handle the pressure of exams, but for some those feelings develop into depression. The recently relaunched Students Against Depression website offers useful advice on handling exam pressure. The site offers a new three-step guide to how to get help, making the facts simple and easy to digest. 'Desperate right now?' provides valuable advice if you're feeling suicidal or looking for instant help and guidance. 'Worried about someone?' gives advice if you're concerned for a friend or relative and offers simple and effective ways of helping others. 'Fast track' is for those looking for a 'snap-shot' run down of the key issues surrounding depression.

See the site at www.studentdepression.org.