STRESSED university students are to be taught how to chill out - through meditation.

The University of Teesside Students' Union is organising meditation classes this week, in an effort to raise mental health awareness among young people. The classes are set to relaxing mood music in a quiet room.

A spokeswoman said the campaign at the university, in Middlesbrough, came at a time when financial strains on students could compound mental health difficulties such as depression.

The welfare officer Tracey Goodfellow said: "We are currently coming up to a big assessment period for students.

"Those who may be living away from home for the first time may feel particularly isolated and susceptible to mental health difficulties.

"The pressures placed on students financially and the inevitable debt they will accrue can lead to stress, worry or even depression.''

As well as the meditation classes, which are geared to take 20 students at a time, students will be offered advice about how to relax, how to exhibit positive mental health and who to contact should they be experiencing difficulties.