Tell us: how are you coping during UK heatwaves this summer?
Last month was the warmest June on record in England and the second-warmest for the UK, according to provisional Met Office figures.
It comes as a report from the UK Green Building Council found that the country's schools, care homes and offices are not equipped for the effects of global heating, with the organisation urging the government to take climate resilience seriously.
We want to hear from you. How are you coping with the heat this summer at work and at home? What impact has hot weather had on you this year? Have you been forced to make lifestyle changes recently to cope with the temperatures?
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The Sun
31 minutes ago
- The Sun
From saffron to St John's Wort – scientists reveal the supermarket depression treatments that REALLY work
IF you experience persistent low mood, you might expect to be prescribed some antidepressants and a course of talking therapy. However, it's becoming increasingly common to try over-the-counter remedies to combat symptoms of depression. But do these treatments really work? Dr Rachael Frost, senior lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University, said: "Many of us know someone who struggles with minor or moderate levels of depression, or we may struggle from depressive symptoms ourselves. "Often, we will try many things to help, such as antidepressants, talking therapies, meditation, or exercise. "One common treatment people try is OTC products which are widely available and accessible from supermarkets, pharmacies, health food shops, and online. "Once you start looking into which product might be helpful, the list becomes endless. "This is particularly the case if you read online blogs or look at social media promotion of various products. "How do we know what is evidence-based? What products are effective? Are they safe?" To answer these questions, researchers reviewed studies on 64 different herbal products and dietary supplements available in supermarkets and high street pharmacies. They had been taken by adults aged 18 to 60 for at least one week across 209 clinical trials. Evidence was strongest for St John's Wort and saffron, which "often showed effects similar to prescription antidepressants". Loose Women star opens up about battle with depression saying disorder is 'kicking my a--e and I am so over it' St John's Wort is a plant which increases the activity of brain chemicals such as serotonin and noradrenaline that are thought to play an important part in regulating our mood. Saffron is a spice known for its bright yellow-orange colour and distinct flavour. It's popular in curries, risottos and stews. It was used for decades in traditional Chinese medicine, then pain relief in the 16th to 19th centuries, and now in some cultures for depression. The trials also suggested that probiotics and vitamin D are more likely to reduce depressive symptoms than a placebo treatment. Probiotics are thought to help restore the natural balance of bacteria in the gut, while vitamin D helps to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. Scientists also identified 18 products for which there is "emerging evidence". The most promising were folic acid, lavender, zinc, tryptophan, rhodiola, and lemon balm. "Further research into these could help determine whether they can help people with depression," Dr Frost said. Bitter orange, Persian lavender, and chamomile tea also showed positive effects in two trials each. Some trendy products, such as melatonin, magnesium, and curcumin, showed mixed effects on depression across multiple clinical trials. Results were also mixed for cinnamon, echium, vitamin C, and a combination of vitamin D plus calcium. Prebiotics, which support the good bacteria in our gut, and a supplement called SAMe did not seem to be better than a placebo. The majority of trials looking at omega-3s found it did not affect depression. Few products presented safety issues, whether used alone or alongside antidepressants. But the team stressed that patients should speak to their GP before starting any supplements for mental health problems. Dr Frost said: "It's good news that very few safety concerns arose from any of these products, whether they were taken alone or in combination with antidepressants. "However, a healthcare professional should always be consulted on whether a product might interact with something else you are taking. "A higher standard of safety reporting in trials is essential – only 145 (69 per cent) of the examined studies fully reported any side effects from the products. "Overall, what we have is relatively conclusive evidence for some products. "Our study has pioneered an exploration into what research is needed to further assess such widely used health care products." 2 Professor Stella Chan, from the University of Reading, who was not involved in the study, added: "It is crucially important for readers to understand that this was a narrative review paper, meaning that it was only a summary of the findings reported from existing research papers. "These papers would inevitably vary in terms of their scientific quality, including some that might report biased or misleading findings due to limitations such as small sample sizes and poor designs. "Meta-analyses (that is, analyses that involve combining all existing data into a single dataset) need to be conducted before conclusive statements can be made about the effectiveness of these products. "Additionally, this review paper excluded studies on individuals with more complicated co-morbid conditions. "Individuals with more complex mental health needs should be particularly vigilant and avoid making personal health decisions based solely upon narrative review papers." Depression... the signs to look for and what to do Depression can manifest in many ways. We all feel a bit low from time to time. But depression is persistent and can make a person feel helpless and unable to see a way through. They may also struggle to about daily life. Mind says these are some common signs of depression that you may experience: How you might feel Down, upset or tearful Restless, agitated or irritable Guilty, worthless and down on yourself Empty and numb Isolated and unable to relate to other people Finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy Angry or frustrated over minor things A sense of unreality No self-confidence or self-esteem Hopeless and despairing Feeling tired all the time How you might act Avoiding social events and activities you usually enjoy Self-harming or suicidal behaviour Difficulty speaking, thinking clearly or making decisions Losing interest in sex Difficulty remembering or concentrating on things Using more tobacco, alcohol or other drugs than usual Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much No appetite and losing weight, or eating more than usual and gaining weight Physical aches and pains with no obvious physical cause Moving very slowly, or being restless and agitated If you feel this way, visit your GP who can help you. If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support. The following are free to contact and confidential: Samaritans, 116 123, jo@ CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) 0800 585 858 Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) 0800 068 41 41 Shout (for support of all mental health) text 85258 to start a conversation Mind, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@ or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary). YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too. Rethink Mental Illness, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate). Depression is increasingly common, to the extent that it is sometimes described as an epidemic. In the UK, about 11 per cent of people report mild depressive symptoms, four percent consider them moderate, and three per cent say they are severe. An estimated 8.7million people received antidepressant prescriptions in the UK in 2023/24 - a 2.1 per cent increase on the previous year. It is unclear exactly how many people take OTC products, but the supplement industry as a whole is said to be worth £3.6billion.
BBC News
34 minutes ago
- BBC News
Antisemitism report finds increase in anti-Jewish discrimination
A new report into antisemitism has laid out a number of recommendations, including that the NHS tackle what it found was a "specific unaddressed issue of antisemitism". Launched by the Board of Deputies of British Jews in 2024, the report made 10 recommendations after taking evidence from a range of organisations, including the NHS, the arts industry and the John Mann, the government's independent advisor on antisemitism, who led the review with ex-Conservative cabinet minister Dame Penny Mordaunt, said the commission heard "shocking experiences".He said it was "unacceptable" there had been what he called an "onslaught of antisemitism" in the UK since 7 October. He added that they hoped the recommendations would provide guidance and 1,200 people were killed in a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, while 251 others were taken Israeli military launched an ongoing campaign in Gaza in response to the attack. At least 57,823 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health majority of the recommendations in the report pointed towards antisemitism training in different was the creation of an "Antisemitism Training Qualification" for those who carry out training on what it called "contemporary antisemitism". It explained that Jewish communal organisations wanted to increase knowledge on anti-Jewish discrimination, which could be done if there was a standard training given by a "credible provider".On Jewish identity, it said Judaism "should always be seen and understood... as an ethnicity as well as a religion", which the commission said would ensure antisemitism is dealt with report found many Jewish employees within the NHS felt antisemitism was not being addressed in the workplace, as well as some Jewish patients feeling "uneasy about using the service".Among its recommendations are that the NHS should hold a summit to tackle the "specific unaddressed issue of antisemitism" within the health service. It also suggested that antisemitism should be included in all Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) training, which it said would increase the number of people "educated" about it and "confident in tackling it"."No person should face abuse or discrimination whilst going about their business, whether it is pursuing the career of their choice or accessing public services," Dame Penny education, the report claimed to have received evidence of some Christian primary school teachers "inadvertently using antisemitic tropes" in subjects such as religious said it welcomed an initiative proposed by the Winchester Diocese and the local Jewish community to teach the teachers how to avoid doing so, and recommended that it be evaluated and applied to all faith Board of Deputies said that while it believed "everyone should have the right to express their opinions and beliefs", those in a role of "welfare, safety or security... have an additional duty to ensure people feel able to ask for their assistance".Other recommendations asked that Jewish members of the arts industry and unions be treated key recommendation was on policing and devising a "consistent approach" to dealing with antisemitic of Deputies president Phil Rosenberg said the report could be "summarised as one of a failure to apply the protections rightly afforded to different vulnerable groups equally to Jewish people in the same positions".
Sky News
an hour ago
- Sky News
Measles 'circulating' in area where child died from disease, expert warns
A Liverpool City Council official has urged the public to be aware of the symptoms of measles after a child died from the disease. Speaking on The UK Tonight with Sarah-Jane Mee, director of public health for Liverpool City Council, Professor Matthew Ashton, said he wanted to raise awareness of the virus. It comes after a child died at the city's Alder Hey Children's Hospital after becoming ill with measles and other health problems. Mr Ashton said that measles was "circulating" in the community, with 17 cases recorded at Alder Hey since the start of June - which he said "is a worry for us". "It's a really nasty virus," he added. "No matter who you are, if you're not protected, it can do you harm." Earlier on Monday, chairman of the Local Government Association's community wellbeing board, councillor David Fothergill, said there was "an urgent need to address falling immunisation rates". "These gaps have contributed to 529 confirmed measles cases in England so far in 2025," he said, "with 68% occurring in children under the age of 10." 41:50 Speaking to Sky News, Mr Ashton said: "Vaccination rates have been declining nationally for the last decade... In Liverpool, we're down below 74%. "Nationally, it's a bit higher than that, but it's still far too low. And the trouble is then, when you have unexposed populations or unprotected populations, the potential for measles going rogue is very high." Mr Ashton said vaccination rates have been declining nationally for the last decade and that the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends 95% vaccination levels to reach herd immunity. 3:03 Mr Ashton noted "there's lots of reasons why vaccination rates have dropped," citing "fatigue" from the COVID pandemic and "disinformation," but added: "I do think it's more complicated than that. "I think we have to recognise that life for our communities has got significantly harder over the last ten years, and people are working really hard to make sure they can still pay the bills, put food on the table, look after loved ones. "Sometimes routine health care appointments are just not top of the list of things to do." What are the symptoms of measles? The first symptoms of measles include: • A high temperature • A runny or blocked nose • Sneezing • A cough • Red, sore or watery eyes Cold-like symptoms are followed a few days later by a rash, which starts on the face and behind the ears, before it spreads. The spots are usually raised and can join together to form blotchy patches which are not usually itchy. Some people may get small spots in their mouth too. What should you do if you think your child has measles? Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if you think your child has measles. If your child has been vaccinated, it is very unlikely they have measles. You should not go to the doctor without calling ahead, as measles is very infectious. If your child is diagnosed with measles by a doctor, make sure they avoid close contact with babies and anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system. The public health director said that while "people assume it's an old disease or it's one that's gone away... it couldn't be further from the case". He noted that one case of measles can infect up to 15 people, and urged people that if they think they have symptoms, call their GP or 111 - and do not go to A&E.
