Stress on the rise at university

Demand for counselling by academics and staff at Cambridge University has increased by more than 60% in the last four years.

A second full-time counsellor is to be employed at the university as the waiting list has grown to six months.

Work is the main problem in half the cases according to the university but anxiety is also high on the list.

The university - which has offered free counselling to its staff since 2000 - is reviewing its policy on bullying.

Counsellor Jill Collins said: "We see academics, research staff, assistant staff, lab technicians - everyone you can think of.

"In an environment like a top university, people are working with great intensity. And expectations - both from other people and from within - are very high.

"This pressure can have both positive and negative effects.

"Just as reporting of stress is rising, so is reporting of bullying and harassment, as awareness is raised about these issues."