Blog9 March 2023
On the Student Mental Health Project, we are looking at gathering evidence on what works to help students maintain and improve their mental health. We knew it was important for us to assemble an advisory group of students to provide us with insight into the student experience and at the beginning of the project this is exactly what we did.
The students represent a range of academic disciplines and backgrounds and having space to learn from each other has been mutually enriching. The Student Panel meetings create a space to ask questions, provide updates and workshop ideas. For the students, this has been an opportunity to meet each other, share their experiences, and input into key project milestones. For the TASO team, this experience has ensured that the project remains focused on ultimately improving the student experience of mental health support at university.
We believe that students are experts by experience and we have already learnt so much. Consulting with them has made us examine our own ways of thinking about the key challenges and priorities regarding student mental health. Through discussion, we have gained a more nuanced understanding of key issues in student mental health, such as barriers to accessing services, student perceptions of the language used around mental health, and how mental health concerns fit in with the competing academic, social and financial demands of students.
To mark University Mental Health Day, some of our Student Panel members shared their experiences of working with us on the Student Mental Health Project:
The Student Mental Health Panel has provided me with a platform to discuss and address the challenges and issues facing students in my university in terms of mental health. It has been a great opportunity for me to learn and work collaboratively with other student representatives, mental health professionals, and researchers to develop policies and practices that reflect the needs and interests of the student body. […]
Furthermore, being on the Student Panel has also provided me with the opportunity to develop my leadership, communication, and advocacy skills. It has helped me to become a more effective advocate for mental health issues and has given me the skills and confidence to engage in meaningful dialogue with university staff and other stakeholders.
Joshua Borokinni
I am having a wonderful experience working with fellow panellists who are so inspiring and passionate about addressing student mental health. I am learning so much about the work that is needed when it comes to research and the development of research reports. Moreover, I get the chance to develop my active listening and communication skills working in such a productive team. Lastly, my experience on this project has helped me reflect on my own mental health journey and develop a deeper understanding of myself, my friends and loved ones.
Pedram Bani Asadi
Incorporating student voice has been a vital part of keeping the student experience at the forefront of the project and we hope the project fosters more conversations that include student perspectives on mental health. In our panel’s own words, here’s why the student voice is so important:
The Mental Health Project and the toolkit created from it is for the benefit of students so it is crucial for student voices to be represented throughout the project and the process of creating the toolkit. This way, we can ensure that the final product that is created is beneficial to the students and tailored to student needs.
Pedram Bani Asadi
Involving students in the project can help to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues, as they can share their experiences and provide support to their peers. This can help to create a culture of openness and acceptance around mental health, which can ultimately lead to improved mental health outcomes for all students. In summary, the inclusion of student voices in the Student Mental Health Project is vital because it allows for a more comprehensive and student-centred approach to addressing mental health issues in higher education.
Joshua Borokinni
It has been wonderful to work with the panel, both on a personal and project level and we hope the project has been a positive and meaningful experience for them too. University Mental Health Day reminds us that the growing pressures on students and the growing demand on student services call for some innovative and collaborative thinking. In the final few months of the project, we look forward to our work with the Student Panel as a way of developing, as Joshua puts it, “a culture of openness” regarding student mental health. We are excited about what we will continue to learn from them. Watch this space…