About.
From its inception, SMaRteN has placed students at the heart of our research. We strive to engage students in all our work. This academic year we are expanding our initiatives, to foster connections between students and researchers engaged across our network.
This is why we are so excited to be kicking of our Co-Creation Workshops in May 2022. We are offering students the opportunity to find out more about research around student mental health by inviting them to take part in the development of ongoing and future research.
We will have two set of Workshop in May and you can apply to take part in either or both.
Think of these Workshops as opportunities to:
- Develop your analytical and team-working skills
- Learn more about student mental health research
- Make your own voice on key issues heard!
You are not participants, but are instead collaborators with the researchers and giving them your views on their research project - to help them refine their approach to yield more robust, relevant long-term results!
You will receive a £30 voucher as thanks and have the opportunity to be thanked in final research outputs and have a photo and bio added to a Co-Creation Collaborators page on the SMaRteN website!
This is why we are so excited to be kicking of our Co-Creation Workshops in May 2022. We are offering students the opportunity to find out more about research around student mental health by inviting them to take part in the development of ongoing and future research.
We will have two set of Workshop in May and you can apply to take part in either or both.
Think of these Workshops as opportunities to:
- Develop your analytical and team-working skills
- Learn more about student mental health research
- Make your own voice on key issues heard!
You are not participants, but are instead collaborators with the researchers and giving them your views on their research project - to help them refine their approach to yield more robust, relevant long-term results!
You will receive a £30 voucher as thanks and have the opportunity to be thanked in final research outputs and have a photo and bio added to a Co-Creation Collaborators page on the SMaRteN website!
How to get involved.
We held two Introductory Sessions for this project, giving an overview of each research project and what the Workshops will involve.
For those of you who were able to make it to the Introductory Sessions, we hope you found the projects exciting and are keen to engage further!
If you couldn’t attend or want a refresh, you can find recordings from the session below.
If you would like to apply to take part in the follow up Co-Creation Workshops for either or both projects, the application form is now LIVE.
It will remain open until 5pm (BST) on Sunday 8th May.
We will then review applications and let you know the outcome by Monday evening. We realise this is a quite quick turnaround for our Tuesday sessions, so please keep the slot free. We are sorry we will not be able to accept everyone but hope you will continue to support future exciting projects coming up!
You can chose to remain anonymous as part of your involvement (meaning your identity will not be know by anyone outside of the Co-Creation Project, but your researcher and other student Workshop collaborators will know some basic details about you).
You will need a laptop/ smart device to attend and take part.
For those of you who were able to make it to the Introductory Sessions, we hope you found the projects exciting and are keen to engage further!
If you couldn’t attend or want a refresh, you can find recordings from the session below.
If you would like to apply to take part in the follow up Co-Creation Workshops for either or both projects, the application form is now LIVE.
It will remain open until 5pm (BST) on Sunday 8th May.
We will then review applications and let you know the outcome by Monday evening. We realise this is a quite quick turnaround for our Tuesday sessions, so please keep the slot free. We are sorry we will not be able to accept everyone but hope you will continue to support future exciting projects coming up!
You can chose to remain anonymous as part of your involvement (meaning your identity will not be know by anyone outside of the Co-Creation Project, but your researcher and other student Workshop collaborators will know some basic details about you).
You will need a laptop/ smart device to attend and take part.
The Workshop Research Projects
Luke Sellers - Curating with(in)tangible Contexts.
I am interested in how individuals record and share their personal experiences. Within a mental health context, I am keen to understand how students view traditional assessment forms and if they feel they capture relevant, useful information for them and those who have access to their information.
These co-create sessions aim to investigate what is key for students when engaging with counselling and mental health services at the stage of accessing services. Current literature suggests students would like more support in areas such as waiting times but what might this actually look like and what might it entail. These early-stage co-production workshops focus on 3 areas: the ‘lead-in’ stage of accessing a mental health support service, the concept of the digital therapeutic relationship and the role the Higher Education environment may play in how mental health and well-being are supported (or not).
I am interested in how individuals record and share their personal experiences. Within a mental health context, I am keen to understand how students view traditional assessment forms and if they feel they capture relevant, useful information for them and those who have access to their information.
These co-create sessions aim to investigate what is key for students when engaging with counselling and mental health services at the stage of accessing services. Current literature suggests students would like more support in areas such as waiting times but what might this actually look like and what might it entail. These early-stage co-production workshops focus on 3 areas: the ‘lead-in’ stage of accessing a mental health support service, the concept of the digital therapeutic relationship and the role the Higher Education environment may play in how mental health and well-being are supported (or not).
Introductory Session - Tuesday 3rd May, 5.30pm-6:30 PM
Overview
Introduction to the research activity and details of how Workshops would be facilitated.
Introduction to the research activity and details of how Workshops would be facilitated.
- ‘Ground rules’ – to include, discussing mental health in general – (not own individual mental health)
- Service context – HE, time limited, pragmatics etc.
- Co-production – your voice in the matter. Look at current mental Health assessments – PHQ, GAD & CORE. What are the general response to the info collected? How do you define mental health & wellbeing – are they the same/different?
Workshop 1 - Tuesday 10th May, 5.30pm-6.30PM
‘Lead-in’ (waiting time)
Current situation and challenges with waiting times?
Current situation and challenges with waiting times?
- How can this time be used productively, proactively to benefit you?
- What information would you like to share before meeting mental health professionals?
- What do you think is important to know for yourself as well as for mental health professionals during this stage?
Workshop 2 - Tuesday 17th May, 5.30PM-6.30Pm
Digital Therapeutic Relationships
Current definition of Digital Therapeutic Relationship + how it is envisaged to work in the future.
What are your opinions on?
Current definition of Digital Therapeutic Relationship + how it is envisaged to work in the future.
What are your opinions on?
- The pros and cons of recording personal, affective information digitally.
- How information may be captured and recorded – active involvement or passive? What’s the difference?
- What would you want to record / not want to record?
- What alternative ways of recording your information and sharing your lived experience could be used to supplement current asst. forms.
Workshop 3 - Tuesday 24th May, 5.30pm-6.30pm
Environment
What are the main impacts of environment for you, including – stressors and support?
What are the main impacts of environment for you, including – stressors and support?
- Are there particular places/spaces that are helpful and unhelpful for you? Why?
- What part does the environment you find yourself in play in how your function day-to-day?
- How much would you share about the places you go with others?
Natalie Wilde - Seeking help for mental wellbeing as an undergraduate student
Previous research has repeatedly highlighted that as a population, university students experience higher levels of mental health distress when compared to non-students and other young people in the UK. When students experience mental distress or mental wellbeing issues, they are often hesitant to seek help. This can be down to a number of factors, but if left untreated, mental wellbeing issues can start to have an impact on multiple aspects of a students life including their academic achievements and relationships with others.
In these sessions we will explore the current mental wellbeing help-seeking process for students, thinking about the potential barriers that exist and why. We will learn about mental health literacy and the influence it has on encouraging help-seeking behaviours. We will also discuss the role of social media in the help-seeking process for mental wellbeing - is it a help or a hindrance? By taking part in the workshops, you will hopefully feel empowered with the knowledge to make more informed choices when it comes to help-seeking for your mental wellbeing, challenging any barriers you may have faced in the past.
Previous research has repeatedly highlighted that as a population, university students experience higher levels of mental health distress when compared to non-students and other young people in the UK. When students experience mental distress or mental wellbeing issues, they are often hesitant to seek help. This can be down to a number of factors, but if left untreated, mental wellbeing issues can start to have an impact on multiple aspects of a students life including their academic achievements and relationships with others.
In these sessions we will explore the current mental wellbeing help-seeking process for students, thinking about the potential barriers that exist and why. We will learn about mental health literacy and the influence it has on encouraging help-seeking behaviours. We will also discuss the role of social media in the help-seeking process for mental wellbeing - is it a help or a hindrance? By taking part in the workshops, you will hopefully feel empowered with the knowledge to make more informed choices when it comes to help-seeking for your mental wellbeing, challenging any barriers you may have faced in the past.
Introductory Session - Thursday 5th May, 5.30pm-6:30 PM
Overview
Introduction to the research activity and details of how Workshops would be facilitated.
Natalie will introduce herself and outline her background, including her own struggles with mental health as a student. The aims of the her PhD research will be described and an overview of the project will be presented. The benefits of co-producing with students will be explored and the value of this to the the work explained. Finally, there will be a quick overview of each weekly workshop including the material covered. There will be a discussion straight after the presentation.
Introduction to the research activity and details of how Workshops would be facilitated.
Natalie will introduce herself and outline her background, including her own struggles with mental health as a student. The aims of the her PhD research will be described and an overview of the project will be presented. The benefits of co-producing with students will be explored and the value of this to the the work explained. Finally, there will be a quick overview of each weekly workshop including the material covered. There will be a discussion straight after the presentation.
Workshop 1 - THursday 12th May, 5.30pm-6.30PM
Help Seeking
The current help-seeking process for students when it comes to their wellbeing.
The current help-seeking process for students when it comes to their wellbeing.
- What are healthy and unhealthy methods of coping with mental distress?
- Why are healthy coping behaviours important as a student?
- What are the stages of the help-seeking process for mental distress?
- What challenges do students face whilst seeking help for their mental wellbeing?
Workshop 2 - THursday 19th May, 5.30PM-6.30Pm
Mental Health Literacy
The concept of mental health literacy and its relationship to help-seeking behaviours.
The concept of mental health literacy and its relationship to help-seeking behaviours.
- What is mental health literacy?
- What are the benefits of having high mental health literacy?
- How can we get a good level of mental health literacy?
Workshop 3 - Thursday 26th May, 5.30pm-6.30pm
Social Media
The current role of social media during the help seeking process and its feasibility for the future.
The current role of social media during the help seeking process and its feasibility for the future.
- How can we seek help for our mental wellbeing using social media?
- How do we evaluate the reliability of information presented on social media platforms?
- What is the feasibility of using social media throughout the help-seeking process?