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A UNIVERSITY student says her first year “work overload” triggered 10 panic attacks a day.

Kali Kuszyk-Whittall, 20, initially found her first term at university “exciting,” balancing studying with making new friends and fitting into a new home.

Joseph Walshe/PinPep

Kali Kuszyk-Whittall struggled as she entered second year of uni[/caption]

Joseph Walshe/PinPep

She developed coping strategies to stop the attacks in their tracks – like running cold water over her wrists, going for walks and watching TV[/caption]

But as the second term came around, she says she underestimated how many hours she’d have to dedicate to her degree.

Studying for her modules at Birmingham City University and trying to hold down a part-time job led to Kali suffering 10 panic attacks a day.

She sought help from her GP and university therapist, each of whom gave her 10 sessions of counselling.

And Kali also developed coping strategies to stop the attacks in their tracks – like running cold water over her wrists, going for walks and watching TV.

Now, nearly a year later, she’s in a “better” place while in her second year of studies – and manages to leave the house for lectures lasting “a few hours a day.”

Kali said: “There was an initial excitement with starting uni.

“At the very beginning, it was very exciting and new – I found myself living with friends I already knew from school, which was great.

“But as the term went on, I struggled to feel like I was keeping on top of all my work – there was a pressure to feel like I knew everything in all my modules, when I didn’t.”

Kali’s story comes after a recent poll found one in 10 university students feel “constantly anxious”, with exam stress, money worries and balancing their studies with their social life among the biggest concerns.

The poll of 1,000 current and past university students found 43 per cent were often or always worried during their studies.

Kali says she had previously suffered from depression – but the panic attacks didn’t begin until six months after she started uni.

Once they were triggered, she struggled to get a grip on them – and would have to stay at home to deal with the “constant” feelings of panic.

All-in-all, Kali took four months off, while she received help.

“It was a big change from being at home to then obviously being in a whole new environment,” she said.

Many think students have it easy and say it is the best time of your life. But it can be a very stressful and worrying time for those who may be feeling anxious about how to deal with their course, manage finances or simply be away from home.

Dr Naveen Purimedical director for Bupa

“I didn’t feel like I was really understanding the work at first, as well as having to get a new place.

“There was a lot of self-doubt, really.”

Kali added: “There were lots of coping mechanisms I randomly found out for myself.

“Cold water and ice on my wrists would stop a panic attack while it was still in the beginning stages.

“I’d also use things to distract me, like listening to music, watching new shows on TV and reading new books.”

Kali completed six sessions of CBT between June and August 2024 – and it was during this time that she returned to her studies.

She now feels like she’s “getting back to being okay,” and is surviving through her course despite her struggles.

“It’s definitely not perfect, but it’s manageable, and I’m getting back to being okay,” Kali said.

One in five depressed at uni

Kali is not alone, with the recent poll finding that a fear of failure or dropping out, fitting in with their peers and coping with the pressure of what they are going to do after they graduate were among student’s concerns.

More than half (55 per cent) had moments where they questioned whether they wanted to complete their course.

First and third year students were most anxious – both 27 per cent, with the second term (35 per cent) deemed the most difficult, as the reality of university life set in.

Dr Naveen Puri, medical director for Bupa, which commissioned the research to launch its health subscription service, which gives students access to GPs and mental health support, said: “Joining university comes with a lot of worries and fears.

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A recent poll found 43 per cent of students were often or always worried during their studies[/caption]

“But often, it’s not until a little later on that these start to show, once the fun and excitement of term one has worn off and the hard work of term two begins.

“Many think students have it easy and say it is the best time of your life.

“But it can be a very stressful and worrying time for those who may be feeling anxious about how to deal with their course, manage finances or simply be away from home.”

The study also found 23 per cent often or always felt depressed while at university.

And half of those polled admitted the realisation of how hard their university degree was going to be affected their mental health.

As a result of feeling stressed or worried, 39 per cent ate more junk food while 34 per cent skipped lectures.

Others avoided socialising (33 per cent), called home more often (28 per cent) and missed deadlines (25 per cent).

But 30 per cent didn’t know who to turn to for help.

Some 38 per cent claimed their physical health impacted their ability to participate in university life, while 39 per cent said the same of their mental health.

The research, commissioned via OnePoll, also revealed the biggest barriers to accessing healthcare while at university, including worries they were overreacting (35 per cent), a lack of time (34 per cent) and fears they won’t be taken seriously (32 per cent).

Dr Naveen Puri, from Bupa, added: “For many students, taking the step to speak to a medical professional over a physical or mental health issue can be daunting, especially for those who may be used to their parents taking care of this for them.

“But it’s important to ensure students have the healthcare support they need as they navigate their studies.”

A NEPO baby, 21, is seemingly following in her famous mum’s footsteps as a model.

Evie is 21 years of age and was born in 2004 to a very famous noughties star mum.

Instagram

Instagram

Her mum shot to fame as a Page 3 model[/caption]

Following in her model mum’s footsteps, Evie often shares glamorous snaps on social media.

However, her most recent offering on Instagram was a snap of her posing with her famous mother.

Wishing her mum a happy birthday, Evie shared a string of photos and wrote a touching caption.

“Happy birthday to the best mum ever,” Evie penned alongside a recent selfie of the pair on holiday, as well as some throwback photos from when she was a tot.

The famous mum – who shot to fame as a Page 3 model – commented on the post and said: “Thank you all, for such lovely messages, I’m feeling the love, and sending it back out to you all.”

At 53, the famous noughties star is known for having switched career from Page 3 star to TV presenter.

Known for having hosted the likes of Eurotrash, Fort Boyard, and To Buy Or Not To Buy, this famous lady has also popped up as a celebrity star on several reality shows.

Appearing in Celebrity Big Brother, Dancing On Ice and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, surely you’ve guessed who the famous mum is?

That’s it! It’s Melinda Messenger.

Instagram

Melinda Messenger recently celebrated her 53rd birthday[/caption]

Instagram

Her daughter Evie shared a sweet throwback snap to commemorate her mum’s birthday[/caption]

News Group Newspapers Ltd

Melinda was a famous Page 3 model in the 90s[/caption]

Reuters

Melinda U-turned from modelling to TV presenting[/caption]

Known for being at the helm of the Health Lottery, Melinda then went on to quit regular television work.

After quitting regular TV work, Melinda undertook training in psychotherapy and has practised since 2015.

The stunning blonde beauty married Wayne Roberts in Bali in 1998 before welcoming three children.

Melinda and Wayne are parents to aforementioned Evie, as well as Flynn and Morgan.

The couple sadly divorced in 2012.

Melinda then moved on with Dr. Raj Joshi, whom she got engaged to after meeting on the Channel 4 show, Celebrity SAS, while filming the show in Vietnam.

But sadly, the couple split just six months after the pair got engaged in New Zealand.

At the time of the news of Melinda and Raj’s split breaking, The Sun revealed that a source had shared details on their break up.

A source told us that the pair “fell fast” and had an “amazing” year travelling around the world together but ultimately decided to part ways.

“Melinda is gutted because she thought he was the one after they bonded over such an amazing experience,” the source added.

They concluded: “The wedding is off. They are no longer in touch.”

Explaining how they fell in love, Melinda previously told The Sun: “So when I came out, I was crying, sweat, blood tears, and wee, I am not kidding you, in this old sports bra and cycling shorts covered in bruises and yeah, foot rot.

“The producer was like, ‘Do you want to see the doctor? You may as well. Just pop in and just have a quick chat.’

“We just carried on chatting after that and that was it!

“So the show changed my life in more ways than one, and I’m truly thankful for that.”

Channel 4

Melinda appeared on Celebrity SAS in 2023[/caption]

Splash News

The stunning former Page 3 model has remained in the public eye[/caption]

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She can often be seen posing at events[/caption]

FURIOUS farmers booed and heckled the Environment Secretary as he faced the music on Labour’s inheritance tax raid.

Steve Reed took a battering from the crowd at the National Farmers’ Union conference as he took questions on the family farm tax.

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Environment Secretary Steve Reed[/caption]

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Protesters hold banners as Steve Reed speaks on stage during the National Farmers Union Annual Conference at the QEII Centre[/caption]

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NFU President Tom Bradshaw[/caption]

The controversial policy, set to kick in from April 2026, has sparked outrage among the farming community, who fear it will force family-run farms out of business.

Mr Reed was met with muted applause and a hostile audience as he tried to sweeten the blow with a raft of policy pledges, including a five-year extension to seasonal worker visas and a £30m boost to higher-level stewardship schemes.

But his words did little to calm the fury in the room – with protesters holding up banners condemning the tax raid and NFU President Tom Bradshaw branding the move “cruel” and “morally wrong.”

In his key note speech, Mr Bradshaw also said older farmers “are now facing that very real dilemma that unless they die before April 2026, their families will face a family farm tax they simply cannot afford to pay.”

He added: “What a cruel position to put elderly people in by no way of warning, by way of a broken promise.

“Government, you must correct this urgently.”

Taking the stage afterwards, Mr Reed admitted he understood “the strength of feeling in the room” but refused to back down.

He also apologised, saying: “I’m sorry, it’s a decision that we have had to take.”

But later defended the move, claiming the Government had to deal with a financial “black hole” inherited from the Tories.

The tax hike has sparked furious protests in Westminster, with convoys of tractors descending on London in recent weeks.

During the Q&A session that followed his speech, Mr Reed was heckled and repeatedly challenged by farmers.

One bluntly asked if the best tax planning now was to die before the changes come in.

Mr Reed insisted Labour was committed to making farming more profitable and announced plans for a 25-year roadmap and food strategy.

But his responses were repeatedly drowned out by jeers and heckles.

'His performances haven’t been good enough.'

Part of the strike has been cancelled - but the fate of further walk-outs has not been ruled out.

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He objected to the fine

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Former Arsenal star Jay Bothroyd believes a current Premier League manager boasts all the credentials required to succeed Mikel Arteta.

Saturday’s defeat against West Ham all but ended the Gunners’ latest pursuit of the Premier League title with 11 points now the gap to Liverpool at the top of the table.

An injury crisis that has accounted for the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz means Arsenal’s hopes of the Champions League now look remote and with his side having already been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions the prospect of another season without silverware looks increasingly likely.

Arteta signed a new contract back in September when the outlook was far healthier and although there is no suggestion his job is currently under threat, a section of fans have become increasingly frustrated with a lack of tangible success.

Andoni Iraola, meanwhile, Arteta’s childhood friend, has been working wonders with Bournemouth on the south coast where his free flowing side have been making waves and claiming major scalps over the course of the last 18 months.

Despite Saturday’s shock setback against Wolves, Iraola and his upwardly mobile side remain in with a strong chance of European qualification and Bothroyd believes he would be perfectly suited to the demands of the Arsenal job.

He told the BBC: ‘When it comes to Iraola and the job that he’s done at Bournemouth with the players and no disrespect to them, but Arsenal need something like that because as much as I am not on that level of saying Arteta out, a lot of people are and who is available that could come to Arsenal?

‘Obviously, the one that everyone talks about is Xabi Alonso but it looks like he could go to Real Madrid if Carlo Ancelotti leaves and it is not out of the realms of possibility that if Arteta doesn’t do what he’s supposed to do which is to get trophies then someone like Iraola could be on the hit list for somewhere like Arsenal.’

Arteta’s immediate focus remains on trying to cut Liverpool’s advantage start with tomorrow night when his team face another of this season’s surprise packages Nottingham Forest.

‘It’s been incredibly satisfying to work every day with the players, the coaches and the staff to try to overcome certain situations,’ said Arteta when asked if he was relishing the challenge despite a myriad of problems.

‘If somebody tells you at the start of the season that by this time you will have played five times with a red card, over half an hour in each of them, and you have lost this amount of players, what’s the bet you are in the middle of the table at least, and you are out of the Champions League?

‘But that’s not the situation, so that tells you the resilience, the resources and the ambition the team and that every individual has, and that time has probably been one of my proudest moments to work, in that sense.

‘The problem is when you are there you want more and more. I’m not going to stop – over my dead body that we stop thinking that way and putting everything we possibly can to increase that probability of us winning, being better than the opponent and hitting that performance, those standards constantly, regardless of what happens.’

The fully functioning toilet was insured for the sum of six million dollars (£4.75 million) and has never been found, the court heard.