New collection of health resources offers trusted information to students

A new collection of health resources is available to students, offering information they can trust.

The collection has been put together by the Patient Information Forum (PIF) as part of their work within the National Year of Reading to help young people find the information they need to take care of their health at university or college and is endorsed by GPs.

Topics range from sexual health to exam stress and studying with asthma. Other areas covered include meningitis signs and symptoms, health self-checks and returning to university after cancer treatment.

All the resources come from PIF TICK-certified organisations.

You can find it on the PIF TICK website here.

Here are the resources:

• Rethink Mental Illness has a web page on studying with a mental health condition. This information looks at how studying can support people with mental health conditions. It includes the different types of courses available and the help you can get. It explains support services, financial assistance, reasonable adjustments and where to get advice if you have difficulties while studying.
• The Migraine Trust has a toolkit: Migraine in further and higher education. This toolkit provides information for students with migraine on how to manage the impact of their condition on their studies. It covers reasonable adjustments, legal rights and how to discuss the impact of migraine with education providers.
• Dr Sylvia Kama-Kieghe shared a video: Delayed period after morning after pill – what you need to know. In it, NHS GP Dr Sylvia explains why your period can be late after the morning after pill. She covers when it should come back, when to take a pregnancy test and when to get medical help.
• She also added a video ‘What is the vulva?’ She explains what each part – labia, clitoris, urethra and vaginal opening – does, what looks normal and varies, and the right words to use when talking to a doctor about symptoms.
• Expert Self Care shared an app: Eating disorder support. This app provides trusted, non-judgmental information about eating disorders. Learn how to get support, what to expect from treatment, and how to help someone you care about. Designed with experts and people with lived experience.
• Meningitis Now has a web page in the collection: Meningitis signs and symptoms. Meningitis can affect anyone, of any age, at any time. It can strike quickly and become life-threatening within hours. Being aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis, and seeking urgent medical advice if concerned, can save lives.
• Asthma + Lung UK included a web page: Studying with asthma. Find out about managing your asthma at university and during exam periods. This includes advice about missing classes or deadlines, mitigating circumstances and mental health.
• It also has a web page on asthma, teenagers and young people included in the collection. There are lots of things that can affect your asthma as you grow up. This page offers advice about moving away from home and managing your asthma independently. It also covers alcohol and recreational drugs, smoking and vaping, sex and relationships, mental health and more.
• The Royal College of Psychiatrists’ web page covers autism and mental health. This resource explores what autism is and how autism and mental health can be interlinked. It also covers the support and care autistic people are entitled to.
• Another web page on understanding psychosis looks at psychosis. Psychosis can start during times of change. It’s important that young people know the signs so they can recognise them in themselves or a friend.
• Crohn’s & Colitis UK has a toolkit in the collection: Crohn’s and colitis Talking Toolkit. No-one knows your Crohn’s or colitis like you do, but it can be hard to talk about it. The Talking Toolkit is here to help find the right words to share what you’re going through. Whoever you want to talk to, it’s got the words to help break the ice.
• The Terrence Higgins Trust shared a web page: Sexual health for trans and non-binary people. Information about sexual health for trans and non-binary people, created by and for trans and non-binary communities. Find practical guidance on managing risks, maintaining good sexual health, and having a positive, fulfilling sex life. Includes tailored information for trans women and trans feminine people, and trans men and trans masculine people.
• Marie Curie included a web page: Returning to studying after someone dies. Going back to college or university after someone dies can feel overwhelming. This page explains ways to support a young person returning to education after someone’s died. And how to help make sure they get the support they need.
• Mind has information about how exam stress can affect your mental health. The page includes tips for coping and where you can find support. Originally designed for 11 to 18 year olds, the tips are useful for anyone studying
• The Epilepsy Society has online information about going to university with epilepsy. This is practical guidance for students with epilepsy who are planning to attend university. It covers choosing a university, disclosing epilepsy, accessing disability support and funding, accommodation considerations, travel, medication management, safety planning. It also has tips for making the most of university life while managing epilepsy.
• The Teenage Cancer Trust added a web page: Going back to university after cancer treatment. Whether you’re excited or anxious about going back to uni after cancer treatment, it can be an adjustment. Find out more about what support you can get and what benefits you might be entitled to on this page.
• Coppafeel! shared a leaflet: The importance of checking your chest. When breast cancer is diagnosed early, survival rates are higher. This leaflet includes information on the signs of breast cancer, how to check your chest and natural chest changes. It is available in English and 8 additional languages.
• It also has posters on chest checking for trans and non-binary people. Developed with LGBTIQ+ cancer charity OUTpatients, this poster series gives information on the signs of breast cancer and guidance on how to check. It also signposts more tips on how to get started, dealing with dysphoria when checking, and checking after top-surgery or with implants.
• Its third tool is CoppaFeel!’s online Self-Checkout tool which guides younger people through monthly chest checking in three steps: look, feel and notice – helping them know their normal and notice any unusual changes early. Users can choose the terms they prefer for their body and sign up for monthly reminders via text, email or calendar.
• The Robin Cancer Trust shared a web page on ovarian cancer – how to recognise the signs and symptoms. Ovarian cancer is 90% curable when caught early. But there is no national screening programme that detects it, so it is important to know the symptoms. Learn the symptoms of ovarian cancer on this web page.
• Another of its web pages is included on testicular cancer – symptoms and how to check. Testicular cancer is 95% curable when caught early. The best way to recognise symptoms is to check your testicles monthly. Learn how to check yours and the symptoms of testicular cancer on this web page.

You can find all the resources on the PIF TICK website here.