Fortnightly 12th December 2016 Issue 308
University of Bristol’s Award Winning Independent Student Newspaper
www.epigram.org.uk
Uni to review mental health services Emily Faint News Editor Mark Ames, Director of Student Services at the University of Bristol, has pointed to the issue of increasing numbers of students who ‘seem to be struggling to have sufficient levels of resilience’ in the wake of the recently reported student suicides at Bristol.
The University has announced that it would be conducting a review of its mental health services following national coverage of what Ames described as an ‘unusual number of student deaths’. In an exclusive interview with Epigram (page21), he discussed the expansion of student numbers and a level of inconsistency in pastoral support as issues to be addressed in the University’s review of its mental health services.
‘The support needs of students have been changing quite markedly over the last few years,’ he said. ‘Clearly, over the last few years, the number of students coming has increased […] and we have an increasing number of students who have enduring mental health difficulties.’ He explained that the University has recognised that these changes in the student body mean that ‘there are now increasingly
occasions where staff feel a little bit unsure on how to respond, particularly to some of the more complex mental health issues.’ One student told Epigram, ‘I emailed the senior tutors saying that I’m really struggling with university and never got a response. The only reason I contacted them was because last week they sent out a message saying, if anyone needed help, to contact them.’ Continued on page 4
‘Invest in a decent vibrator’
Johnny Thalassites and Amy Finch Living Editor and Deputy News Editor An Epigram survey of more than 650 students has revealed that 53 per cent of Bristol students broadly agree that they are ‘satisfied’ between the sheets - with a full 47 per cent left wanting
more from their lovers. Students were responding to the statement, ‘I am satisfied with my sex life.’ 21.3 per cent strongly agreed and 32.1 per cent agreed. 19 per cent remained neutral, but 21.2 per cent disagreed and 6.4 per cent strongly disagreed. A follow-up question asked students to give sexual advice to their pre-university selves, with
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some of the more graphic responses offering fullblooded tips (!) on how to improve performance. The 6.4 per cent might well heed the advice of one grizzled, veteran student, who encouraged his younger self to ‘thrust hard.’ Another respondent, clearly underwhelmed by her experiences, suggested that students ‘invest in a decent vibrator.’ Meanwhile, a female Arts
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Myla Lloyds makes the case for a fun Christmas in Bristol Highly Commended for Best Publication and Best Use of Digital Media 2016
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Nearly half of students unsatisfied with sex lives Full sex survey results on page 3
student, presumably once bitten and twice shy, implored herself to ‘use more lube’ in future. The majority of comments, however, took on earnest and equivocal tone. ‘Don’t worry’, ‘relax’, and ‘chill’ were sentiments oft-repeated. ‘It’s no big deal’, and ‘do what you want/do what makes you happy’ were also characteristic responses.
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