MENTAL HEALTH POLICY: Universities and third-level colleges should all have a mental health policy, delegates at a recent mental health conference at the University of Ulster's Magee campus were told.
Michelle McCauley, lecturer in social care at Fermanagh College in Co Tyrone, suggested such a policy could act as a safety net for students experiencing anxiety - particularly those in first year.
Meanwhile, the largest study of physical and emotional health within families (researchers will contact 3,000 households) in Northern Ireland will begin soon.
The Northern Ireland Study of Health and Stress will be used to set priorities for future health provisions.
ME RESEARCH: The possible link between viral illness, the body's subsequent inability to produce enough fatty acids and the development of ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome will be explored by Prof Basant Puri, researcher and consultant at Hammersmith Hospital, London in a series of talks.
Organised by the Irish ME Support Group, the talks will take place in the Granville Hotel, Waterford city (Monday, September 26th), the Royal Dublin Hotel, O'Connell St, Dublin (Tuesday, September 27th), The Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone (Wednesday, September 28th) and the Harbour Hotel, Galway city (Thursday, September 29th).
All talks start at 7pm and admission is free. Tel: 091-584990 or 01-2350965 for more details.
SUICIDE SUPPORT: A new counselling and support service for people bereaved by suicide has opened in Galway city. Run by Console, the bereaved-by-suicide foundation, it will be at Console House, 26 Bowling Green, Galway. Tel: 091-537333.
Console also operates a national helpline and free counselling service on 1800-201890. See also www.suicidebereaved.com
Lifelines is compiled by Sylvia Thompson