Current Studies

The DELVE Study
🕘 Conversations and Diary keeping across a 6 month period 📅​​​ Ongoing

Researchers at Bristol University are looking at the pros and cons of viewing and posting online content about self-harm and suicide. To get a balanced view, they would like to talk to people who have experience of this. So, if this is you, please get in touch. 
 
You must:

• be aged 16 or over and based in the UK

• post, view or chat about self-harm/ suicide content online (whether you self-harm, or not).  

 
 
The study will last for 6 months. During this time, you will take part in three private conversations with our researcher and keep a brief diary of your online activities. You will receive vouchers throughout (up to a total of £75 if you complete the study). 

You can register online here.

Members of the team can be followed on Twitter: @LucyABiddle

UniVRse Steering Group Committee Member:
🕘 Ongoing 📅​--

What we are looking for:

• A first-generation student (i.e. the first person in your family to attend university)
• A student with experience of feeling anxious or unconfident at university
• A student who is currently attending a UK university (excluding the University of Westminster as they would be welcome to join the trial later on)

About the role:

• Steering Group committee member for the UniVRse Project
• Attend approximately 5 online meetings over the course of the trial, which will last around 18 months (including design to implementation planning)

What to do if you are interested:

• For more information or to express an interest please contact Cassie Hazell (Principal Investigator) based at the University of Westminster. Email: C.Hazell@westminster.ac.uk.

Reimbursement:

• Steering Group Members will be reimbursed for their involvement through the University of Westminster at a rate of £15 per meeting. Payments will be made via bank transfer.

More information about the project:
The UniVRse project is funded by the Office for Students. The goal of UniVRse is to develop an intervention to help first-generation students feel more confident at university using Virtual Reality (VR). The UniVRse VR program will be co-designed with first-generation students, combining cutting-edge technology with cognitive behavioural techniques.
 
What is the UniVRse project? 
Phase 1: Designing the UniVRse program 
We are designing the UniVRse virtual reality (VR) program from scratch. The UniVRse program will be developed by a team comprised of researchers, clinicians, VR programmers, and, most importantly, first-generation students who have experience of feeling anxious or unconfident at university. Our student collaborators will identify what situations at university cause them anxiety, and why. The situations selected will then be turned into virtual environments. We will use a graded approach based on cognitive behavioural techniques to steadily increase the number of anxiety-related triggers present. This graded approach will allow students to tackle their fears in small, gradual steps. Our first-generation student collaborators will be involved in the whole design process, from start to finish, as well as testing and reviewing prototypes as they are created.
Phase 2: Evaluating and implementing UniVRse
We will invite 90 first-generation students to take part in the UniVRse evaluation. We will evaluate UniVRse within a pilot randomised controlled trial. We will compare the effects of UniVRse to a wait-list control group. The wait-list control group will also have the opportunity to receive UniVRse after the trial has ended. We will assess the effect of UniVRse on social anxiety, confidence, some other mental health outcomes, including an objective measure of stress (salivary cortisol), and engagement and enjoyment of university studies. We will also interview some of the students who received UniVRse to find out what they thought about it.
​https://www.westminster.ac.uk/news/westminster-researchers-receive-funding-from-the-office-for-students-for-virtual-reality-project-to-support-student-mental-health 

EXPLORING YOUNG PEOPLE’S VIEWS ON LONELINESS STRATEGIES FOR THEIR AGE GROUP
🕘 MULTIPLE ONLINE INTERVIEWS 📅​​​ 26TH MAY 2022

​Participants Needed for Research Study on Loneliness Interventions for Young People!

Have you ever experienced loneliness? 

Members of the Loneliness & Social Isolation in Mental Health Research Network are looking for young people to participate in one-on-one interviews over Zoom, to explore their opinions on strategies to help reduce loneliness in their age group.

If you identify as male or non/binary, are aged 16-24, are living in the UK, and have experienced loneliness, you are eligible to take part. We are particularly interested in hearing from you if you are aged between 16 and 20.

​Everyone who participates will be offered a £15 LoveToShop e-voucher. If you are interested in taking part, or would like more information, please contact the research team using the following email address - sharon.eager.20@ucl.ac.uk.

To find out more take a look online or follow @eagersharon on Twitter

An Investigation into social support, POSSESSIONS and Obsessions
🕘 1 hour 📅​​​ Ongoing

Study description 

​We (researchers at the University of Oxford) are conducting a study looking into the role of social support. This is because the support we receive (or don’t receive) can have a big impact on our thoughts and experiences. We are interested in hearing from people who identify as having a) obsessional and compulsive problems, b) difficulties with over acquiring and keeping possessions, and c) those without current experiences of mental health. It is hoped that results can help tailor and improve treatments by developing a deeper understanding of factors that may contribute to distress.  
  
Participating in the research involves:  
1. A brief telephone discussion, approximately 15 minutes    
2. Online questionnaires, approximately 30-40 minutes (although for some people it may take longer). Paper questionnaires can be sent by post if you prefer.    
  
We are interested in learning more about the experiences of people based in the UK aged 18 and above. More details, including the link to the participant information sheet, can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/pfdwpf7k 
 
To register your interest or for further information, please contact:  victoria.edwards@hmc.ox.ac.uk

Previous Studies (Closed)

​MEASURING STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH​

MRA-18/19-10611, approved by the KCL Research Ethics Committee
​
SMaRteN are creating guidance on measuring student well-being in Higher Education. We are looking for some more voices to contribute to our consultation on measuring student mental health and well-being! If you are a student, or working in Higher Education in any capacity, we would love to hear from you.
​
To let us know your priorities about what captures student mental health and well-being, take part in our online consultation:
https://nupsych.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bHoGg9DUrfcP577

TRACKING STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS THE TERM

LRS-17/18-5301, approved by the KCL Psychiatry, Nursing and Midwifery Research Ethics subcommittee. Students at any university in the UK can participate.

This study is recruiting students who have been feeling low recently to take part in the control group for a study to evaluate the efficacy of peer support for student mental health. As a control group, we are not asking you to do anything in particular to participate in this study - to participate you need to complete an online survey now and will be invited to complete a second online survey in a few months. The data you provide will, as part of a wider study, help us understand the efficacy of peer support for student mental health. 

The questionnaire can be completed online and takes approximately 10 minutes to fill in. Participants can register for a prize draw to win Amazon vouchers. For more information please visit: www.tinyurl.com/StudentMH1
​
For more information, please email the researcher - Dr Nicola Byrom (Nicola.byrom@kcl.ac.uk); Department of Psychology, IoPPN, 2.09 Addison House, Guy's Campus, Kings College London, SE1 1UL

​PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARDS SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESSES

King's College London Ethics Reference: HR-19/20-14909

Our aim is to understand public attitudes to serious mental illness, specifically psychosis and personality disorders. Upon completing the questionnaire, you will have the option to enter into a prize draw to win a shopping voucher worth £100 or £50.

More information and participate here

​BATTLE OF THE SCALES: IDENTIFYING SCALES TO EVALUATE STUDENT MENTAL-WELLBEING
​🕘 25 MINUTES 📅​​​ 24TH JULY 2020

King's College London Ethics Reference: LRS-19/20-15013

If you are an undergraduate or a postgraduate taught student, we’d like your help in testing measures of student wellbeing. You can help by completing a single online survey (completely anonymous), which will take around 25 minutes. In completing the survey, you will be entered into a prize draw to win £50 of shopping vouchers.

 We would like to identify scales to evaluate the impact on student mental well-being of innovative approaches to teaching. This forms part of a research project funded by the Office for Students to develop new resources to assist academics to support better student mental wellbeing. 

Participate here: https://kcliop.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eeWe4g9wTiLLa7j
Email rebecca.upsher@kcl.ac.uk for more information. Rebecca is the project research associate, coordinating recruitment.

SCREEN USE AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH
​​🕘 10 MINUTES 📅​​​ 27TH JULY 2020

This research has been reviewed and given a favourable outcome by University College London Research Ethics Committee (Project ID: 14037/001)
​
We have identified a list of questions that young people, parents/carers, and teachers think are important about screen use and adolescent mental health. We want to hear from you which are the top 10 most important questions!

Taking part involves reading the electronic project information sheet and completing the online survey which should take approximately 10-15 minutes.

This research will help shape policy guidelines that will benefit young people in the future. It is being carried out by researchers at the NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit, based at University College London and King’s College London.

​To participate: https://tinyurl.com/uclpsych-screentime
​Connect with the researchers: @McPinYPNetwork,  @MentalHealthPRU,  @CentreforMH

PREDICTORS OF OUTCOME FOR AN ONLINE TRAINING DESIGNED TO REDUCE WORRY
🕘 3 - 80 MINUTES

HR-19/20-17692, research ethics approved by King's College London

We are looking for full-time students, aged between 18-25, who worry to complete a brief online training designed to reduce worry, and help us work out who finds it more effective.The study involves completing questionnaires and simple computer-based tasks online.

Research shows that for all types of psychological interventions, some people respond well, and others find them less helpful. This study will help us find factors associated with good or less good response to a simple online training programme. This information will then be used in future studies to work out if we can predict who will benefit from longer term training.

Please complete this 3-minute screening questionnaire to see if you are eligible to participate: ​https://research.sc/participant/login/dynamic/858A162C-6C80-4F55-951B-425EAAE3DED0

If you take part, you will complete 2 sessions of research within 48 hours (you may complete both sessions all at once if you prefer):

• The first session will take about 25-minutes, where you will complete a battery of simple computer tasks.
• The second session will take about 80-minutes where you will complete a single session of the online training (tasks will involve listening to scenarios and making judgements about them).

You will receive Sona research credits (for KCL psychology first year students only) or be entered into a draw to win 1 of 10 £20 gift voucher upon completion of the study.

If you would like further information about the research, please contact the main researcher Yun-Lin Wang (yun-lin.wang@kcl.ac.uk)

STUDENTS IN TRANSITION AT UNIVERSITY: AIMING TO ENHANCE MENTAL AND SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING (SITUATE) ​
​🕘 10 - 15 MINUTES 📅​​​ 31ST JULY 2020

This study has been reviewed and approved by the University of Sussex Sciences & Technology CREC (Cross-Schools Research Ethics Committee), reference: ER/RM645/1.

The SITUATE project, funded by the Office for Students, is designed to find out more about the mental and social health and wellbeing experiences of students as they move through university. 

We would like to invite undergraduate students (16 years +) studying at universities in the UK to take part in an online survey that will ask you about your experiences of moving through your education and the impact that this may or may not have had on you.

The survey will take up to 30 minutes to complete and you will have the chance to be entered into a prize draw to win a £50 first prize, or one of 15, £5 second prizes, following completion of the survey. We would also like to ask the same people to take part in the same survey at later dates. If you take part in future surveys, you will have the chance to win up to £350.

The findings will be used to develop ways to better support students as they move through university.

For more information and to take part in the survey, please follow the survey link: https://tinyurl.com/SITUATE-Survey1

The first wave of the survey will be open until 23:59 on 31/07/20

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the SITUATE research team via email at situate@sussex.ac.uk.

EVALUATING MENTAL HEALTH AMONGST UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE UK AND SAUDI ARABIA 
​​🕘 20 - 30 MINUTES

 Lifespan Learning and Sleep Laboratory at University College London

We are recruiting undergraduate students (aged 18 years or older) to complete 20-30 minutes survey about your Mental Health during COVID-19. 
Participants will be entered into a draw to win Amazon vouchers. 
There are 20 prizes worth £25. 

​Take part here

For more information contact: azizah.alyoubi.17@ucl.ac.uk

Research Ethics Number: 4906

STUDENTS’ EXPERIENCES OF COVID-19 (THE NEW CORONAVIRUS)
​​​🕘 20 - 30 MINUTES

You will be presented with an online questionnaire, which will ask you about your thoughts and feelings about yourself and the ongoing Covid-19 situation.

Participants: Male & female, over 18 years old & studying at University
Time required: Approx 20-30 minutes
Location: Online, can be completed in your own time on any computer

To take part please click here.  
​
Department of Psychology, College of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University
If you have any questions or want further information, please contact: Dr Amy Romijn (A.R.Romijn@Swansea.ac.uk ) Dr Luke Jefferies (Luke.Jefferies@Swansea.ac.uk) or Dr Rachel Harrad (R.A.Harrad@Swansea.ac.uk)
This research has been approved by the Psychology Department, Research Ethics Committee, College of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University

INVESTIGATING FACTORS THAT MAY INFLUENCE WHETHER PEOPLE WITH EXPERIENCES OF PSYCHOSIS ENGAGE WITH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
🕘 25 MINUTES

The research has been granted ethical approval through Lancaster University's Ethics Committee.

We are trying to find out what influences whether people experiencing psychosis decide to use mental health services or not.

Psychosis might be seeing or hearing things (voices) that other people cannot, or having strong beliefs that others think are very unusual. Experiencing psychosis is sometimes linked with diagnoses like "schizophrenia", "schizoaffective disorder" or "delusional disorder", but not necessarily.

The study involves participants completing a short online survey, and there are five £30 Amazon vouchers to be won. 

Find out more and take part in the research: bit.ly/psychosisresearc

FAMILY BODY TALK, WELLBEING AND EATING ATTITUDES
​​🕘 15 MINUTES ​

What is the purpose of the project?

The purpose of this project is to increase our understanding of how families discuss body weight, shape and appearance, and if/how this relates to young people’s wellbeing, eating attitudes and kindness towards themselves.  

Who can take part?

Participants in this study should be aged between 18-25 years old.

What will I be asked to do and how long will it take?

• You will be asked to complete an online survey containing questions related to how you and your family discuss body shape and weight, your psychological wellbeing, feelings of compassion towards yourself and your attitudes towards eating, shape and weight.
• The questionnaires should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.
• Some questions are personal, but you do not have to answer any questions you do not want to.

Once I take part, can I change my mind?

After you have read this information and asked any questions you may have if you are happy to participate we will ask you to provide informed consent. However, if at any time before or during the survey you wish to withdraw, simply close your browser and your responses will be discarded. Once your responses have been submitted, it will not be possible to withdraw your individual data from the research.

What are the possible benefits of participating?

All participants who complete the survey will be given the opportunity to be entered into a prize draw to win one of five £25 Amazon vouchers.

Are there any disadvantages or risks in participating?

There are no anticipated risks in participating in this study. However, some of the questions may raise issues that you need to discuss further. If you have any concerns, please contact one of the following:

• Your GP
• BEAT – the UK’s eating disorder charity supporting anyone affected by eating difficulties (0808 801 0677)
• MIND – a service offering advice and support to anyone experience mental health problems (0300 123 3393)
  
  

I have some more questions; who should I contact?
​
Further information can be obtained from either Dr Hannah White (H.J.White@lboro.ac.uk) or Dr Carolyn Plateau (C.R.Plateau@lboro.ac.uk).

The survey is now live at https://lboro.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/family-body-talk

UNDERSTANDING WHAT MATTERS TO STUDENTS: DIMENSIONS OF QUALITY OF LIFE
🕘 60 MINUTES  📅​​​ ON HOLD

LRS-17/18-7273, approved by the PNM Research Ethics Committee at KCL and Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Ethics Committee at Northumbria University. Students at KCL or Northumbria university can participate.

The World Health Organization defines Quality of Life as “an individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns.” But what does Quality of Life mean to you?  

We’d like to hear your thoughts and get your help developing a new measure to assess quality of life for students. We are running interviews (these may take up to 60 minutes) to discuss quality of life with students aged 18-25. Interviewees will be reimbursed for their time with a £10 Amazon shopping voucher. If you think you might be interested, find out more and sign up to take part here: https://tinyurl.com/QoLresearch

For more information, please email Dr Nicola Byrom (Nicola.byrom@kcl.ac.uk); Department of Psychology, IoPPN, 2.09 Addison House, Guy's Campus, Kings College London, SE1 1UL

CARE EXPERIENCED STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
🕘 - MINUTES ​​

REC1127, approved by the UCL Research Ethics Committee

Today, more and more young who have lived in foster care or residential care as a child are being encouraged and supported to continue with their education, but a recent study has shown that care-experienced young people at university are more likely leave before completing their course than other students. Researchers at University College London (UCL) have been commissioned by the Access and Widening Participation Team at UCL to carry out a study into how young people from a care background experience Higher Education. The aim of this study is to understand how care leavers experience higher education and how they can be better supported to complete their course.

We would like to speak to care leavers who are currently in their second or final year of a degree course and those who have previously attended university but did not complete their course. We would like to involve young people from a range of universities across London and the South East.

To find out more or sign up, visit https://studentsexperiencesinhighereducation.wordpress.com/; there is also an information available for download below.
Or contact Hanan Hauari  (h.hauari@ucl.ac.uk) or Katie Hollingworth (katie.hollingworth@ucl.ac.uk) on the research team.

GLAD: GENETIC LINKS TO ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
🕘 30 MINUTES ​​​

What is the GLAD Study?
The Genetic Links to Anxiety and Depression (GLAD) Study launched this September and aims to recruit over 40,000 individuals. This is the world’s largest study of depression and anxiety and we hope to investigate the genetic, environmental and social risk factors for these disorders. Anyone aged 16 years or older who lives in England and has experienced anxiety or depression during their lifetime is encouraged to sign up. Participants will facilitate important future research by joining a recontactable database and the National Institute for Health Research Mental Health BioResource.
 
Why is it important?
Depression and anxiety are common but complex disorders and research into this requires a very large sample size. In the UK, more than a quarter of students report having a mental health problem, the most common of which are depression and anxiety. Psychological therapy, antidepressant and anti-anxiety drug treatments are more available than ever before, but only around half of those treated respond well. Through better understanding of mental health genetics, new and more effective treatment options can be developed, and healthcare professionals will be better equipped to predict which treatments work for specific types of patients. So far, over 40 genetic links for depression and anxiety have been identified and researchers know that 30-40% of depression and anxiety risk is genetic and 60-70% is environmental. However, current and previous mental health research has been limited by the access to volunteers with these disorders.
 
How can you help?
Taking part in the GLAD Study involves four simple steps. Firstly, you register online at www.gladstudy.org.uk and read the information sheet. Then you complete an online consent form, which is explained in more detail by an online animation. Following this you complete a 30-minute online eligibility questionnaire about your experiences of depression and/or anxiety to confirm you qualify to take part. Finally, if you meet the eligibility criteria you will be sent a saliva DNA kit in the post, along with a freepost envelope to send it back to us. You can get involved from the comfort of your own home!

For more information about the GLAD Study and how to take part, please go to www.gladstudy.org.uk or email gladstudy@kcl.ac.uk

​​PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF COUNSELLING PRACTITIONERS IN HIGHER EDUCATION WHEN SUPPORTING DIVERSE STUDENTS

University of Manchester review reference number 2020-8030-12932

​My research is exploring the perceptions and experiences of counselling practitioners in Higher Education when providing support to students who are diverse. Diverse in this regard could mean students from ethnic minority communities, students with disabilities and mature students. However this is not an exhaustive list. This is with the intention to explore some suggestions that could perhaps, improve counselling practitioners relations with diverse students.
​
Contact Waqar Younis with any questions and to participate: waqar.younis@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk

​KEEP IN TOUCH (KIT) STUDY
🕘 - MINUTES

In this study, we are trialling an online self-administered psychosensory technique called Havening. We think that this research is really important at this time when COVID-19 is causing anxiety for so many people. We will ask participants to use short videos of Havening practitioners to guide them as they self-administer the Havening technique. This will involve a variety of activities including stroking own arms and hands, whilst performing self-affirming and anxiety reducing tasks. The videos can be used as little or as often and wherever they chose. 

Participants will be asked to complete short online questionnaires about their mood, mental health and wellbeing.

To find out more and take part in this research: https://ntupsychology.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1UlRgaEgOsBy3iZ

​University of Edinburgh Sponsor Number: ETH1920-3186

What is this research project?
We are investigating how students respond to curriculum content, rather than the way it is taught. In this survey, we are interested in the perspectives of academic staff on curriculum content that may appear to cause emotional and psychological reactions such as loss of motivation, disengagement, frustration, or heightened levels of unhelpful stress.

Do I have to take part?
There is absolutely no obligation to take part in this research project. 

Why am I being asked to take part?
We are asking academics who teach undergraduate students in the UK to complete this survey.

If I agree to take part, what will I have to do?
You will be asked to complete a short qualitative survey, comprised of three question sets. The questions are mainly open text, you can provide as much or as little detail as you wish.
You will not be asked to share any personally identifiable data in this survey.

How will the answers I provide be used?
Your answers will be combined with the answers given by other participants and analysed for key lessons that we can learn.
The data will be aggregated and statistically analysed data will be used for the production of journal articles and conference presentations.

This survey is also part of a larger piece of work on this topic. We plan to use the findings from the whole project to produce guidance for academics to help develop curriculum and pedagogy that can improve learning and wellbeing.

Please note that if you consent to participate in this research you are agreeing to the information being used for these purposes.

How will the information be stored?
Your answers will be stored on a secure server that is protected by a password and only accessible by the research team. You will not be asked to share any personally identifiable data in this survey.

The answers you provide will be treated confidentially and you will not be identifiable in any reports or papers that are subsequently produced from the data we receive. 

Can I choose to withdraw my answers at a later date?
You will be asked to add a personal identifier when you complete the survey. Using this identifier, you can choose to withdraw your data, providing you inform us within 2 weeks of the survey closing (4th October 2020).

TO TAKE PART CLICK HERE

THINGS AND THE MIND
​​🕘 15 - 20 MINUTES ​​

What is the study about?  This study aims to explore the effect of material things such as everyday objects or places/environment on student wellbeing and mental health. Please help us know more.

Anonymity: We guarantee the survey is anonymous. It takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. We truly appreciate your time to illuminate this new and important field. 

Why, what am I contributing to? You will help develop the knowledge on the relationship between student mental health and material things and environments, support student services provision, inform policy and the outcome in the form of a book on student mental health experiences. 

If you change your mind: It’s completely up to you to decide whether you take part. Your participation is voluntary. You are free to withdraw at any time during your survey participation, but this is not possible afterwards and any responses provided will be recorded and used. It is unlikely that there will be any disadvantages to taking part. On the contrary, you can help many students and improve student well-being.

Data Usage: Your data and survey results will be stored in Qualtrics, Lancaster University protected software, and survey graphs and findings will be stored in encrypted files accessible to project PI and RA only, but again, we cannot know any names of survey participants. In accordance with University guidelines, we will keep the data securely for a minimum of ten years. 

We will use the data you have shared in the following ways: for research dissemination and publications purposes only. This will include, for example journal articles, presentations, and the project outcome in the form of an illustrated novel. We would also refer to survey results in the news media. We would always use anonymised quotes or pseudonyms when presenting the data. The illustrated novel will be publicly available. This study has been reviewed and approved by Lancaster University Research Ethics Committee. 

If you have any queries contact Natasa at the e-mail below, or if you are unhappy with anything that happens concerning your participation in the study, please contact Deborah Knight at this e-mail address: d.knight@lancaster.ac.uk

If you feel distressed at any point while completing the survey, please stop the survey or get back to it later. You might be able to get some advice from Student Minds web site: https://www.studentminds.org.uk/. 

This project is supported by SMaRTeN, the UK's biggest student mental health network, funded by UKResearch & InnovationI/Economic and Social Research Council. 

The project team, Dr Natasa Lackovic, Lecturer, Lancaster University e-mail: n.lackovic@lancaster.ac.uk   Monika Conti, Student, Lancaster UniversityWhat is the study about?  This study aims to explore the effect of material things such as everyday objects or places/environment on student wellbeing and mental health. Please help us know more.

Anonymity: We guarantee the survey is anonymous. It takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. We truly appreciate your time to illuminate this new and important field. 

Why, what am I contributing to? You will help develop the knowledge on the relationship between student mental health and material things and environments, support student services provision, inform policy and the outcome in the form of a book on student mental health experiences. 

If you change your mind: It’s completely up to you to decide whether you take part. Your participation is voluntary. You are free to withdraw at any time during your survey participation, but this is not possible afterwards and any responses provided will be recorded and used. It is unlikely that there will be any disadvantages to taking part. On the contrary, you can help many students and improve student well-being.

Data Usage: Your data and survey results will be stored in Qualtrics, Lancaster University protected software, and survey graphs and findings will be stored in encrypted files accessible to project PI and RA only, but again, we cannot know any names of survey participants. In accordance with University guidelines, we will keep the data securely for a minimum of ten years. 

We will use the data you have shared in the following ways: for research dissemination and publications purposes only. This will include, for example journal articles, presentations, and the project outcome in the form of an illustrated novel. We would also refer to survey results in the news media. We would always use anonymised quotes or pseudonyms when presenting the data. The illustrated novel will be publicly available. This study has been reviewed and approved by Lancaster University Research Ethics Committee. 

If you have any queries contact Natasa at the e-mail below, or if you are unhappy with anything that happens concerning your participation in the study, please contact Deborah Knight at this e-mail address: d.knight@lancaster.ac.uk

If you feel distressed at any point while completing the survey, please stop the survey or get back to it later. You might be able to get some advice from Student Minds web site: https://www.studentminds.org.uk/. 

This project is supported by SMaRTeN, the UK's biggest student mental health network, funded by UKResearch & InnovationI/Economic and Social Research Council. 
​
The project team, Dr Natasa Lackovic, Lecturer, Lancaster University e-mail: n.lackovic@lancaster.ac.uk   Monika Conti, Student, Lancaster University

THE HYPE PROJECT: IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF YOUNG PEOPLE
🕘 30 MINUTES ​​​

Ethically approved by the King's College London Research Ethics Committee (REC Reference Number: HR-17/18-7535); funded by the Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, National Institute for Health Research

The HYPE (Improving the Health of Young PeoplE) Project is an online recruitment, risk assessment, and resource platform for young people (aged 16 and over). The Project is aimed at improving the understanding of problems affecting young people’s health, increasing young peoples’ involvement in research and improving access to online and community, social and health-related resources. We hope to use the project to empower individuals within their neighbourhoods and communities by providing an environment to voice their opinions and contribute to a discussion on health inequalities - and work towards reducing these inequalities. 

To take part, we need young people to complete a 30 minute (approximately) online survey.

The HYPE Project online platform also offers signposting to relevant charities and organisations, self-help materials and information about community activities and events. Access to all the resources is free regardless of whether the young person takes part in the research survey. 

For more information about the project or to sign up, please go to https://hypekcl.com or you can contact us via email at hype@kcl.ac.uk.

You can follow us on Twitter: @hype_project and on Instagram: @hype_projectkcl

​AN EXPLORATION OF ATTITUDE AND KNOWLEDGE TOWARDS DIETARY HABITS IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS DURING DEPRESSION AND LOW MOOD
🕘 15 MINUTES

Approved by the Cardiff Metropolitan University Ethics Committee

This project was stimulated by previous research investigating the influence on diet and its impact on mental health. We want to find out students’ knowledge and attitudes towards dietary habits and how it influences their mood. We want to find this out in order to help develop future research on this topic and help provide alternatives for universities to consider when supporting students with the pastoral care of students through alternative support including nutrition. 

The study is being organised by Francesca Vuolo a final year BSc (Hons) Nutrition student at Cardiff Metropolitan University  If you want to find out more about the project, or if you need more information to help you make a decision about joining in, please contact the study supervisor Vicky Krawec on 02920 416883 or email VJKrawec@cardiffmet.ac.uk​

Take part here.

​EDUCATION FOR MENTAL WELLBEING - UNDERSTANDING TEACHING ACADEMICS' PERCEPTIONS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CURRICULUM CONTENT AND WELLBEING
📅​​​ 15TH NOVEMBER 2020

Ethics Approval Ref: ETH1920-3186

​INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS
What is this research project?
We are investigating how students respond to curriculum content, rather than the way it is taught. In this survey, we are interested in the perspectives of academic staff on curriculum content that may appear to cause emotional and psychological reactions such as loss of motivation, disengagement, frustration, or heightened levels of unhelpful stress. To participate please click here. 

Do I have to take part?
There is absolutely no obligation to take part in this research project. 

Why am I being asked to take part?
We are asking academics who teach undergraduate students in the UK to complete this survey.

If I agree to take part, what will I have to do?
You will be asked to complete a short qualitative survey, comprised of three question sets. The questions are mainly open text, you can provide as much or as little detail as you wish.
You will not be asked to share any personally identifiable data in this survey.

How will the answers I provide be used?
Your answers will be combined with the answers given by other participants and analysed for key lessons that we can learn.
The data will be aggregated and statistically analysed data will be used for the production of journal articles and conference presentations.
This survey is also part of a larger piece of work on this topic. We plan to use the findings from the whole project to produce guidance for academics to help develop curriculum and pedagogy that can improve learning and wellbeing.
Please note that if you consent to participate in this research you are agreeing to the information being used for these purposes.
​
How will the information be stored?
Your answers will be stored on a secure server that is protected by a password and only accessible by the research team. You will not be asked to share any personally identifiable data in this survey.
The answers you provide will be treated confidentially and you will not be identifiable in any reports or papers that are subsequently produced from the data we receive. 

Can I choose to withdraw my answers at a later date?
You will be asked to add a personal identifier when you complete the survey. Using this identifier, you can choose to withdraw your data, providing you inform us within 2 weeks of the survey closing (4th October 2020).

GDPR Statement
Your participation in this study is entirely voluntary, and you are not required to answer any questions that you do not feel comfortable answering. Your consent is the legal basis with which we are collecting your data and, while this allows us to use your data, it also means we have obligations towards you to:

• not seek more information from you than what is essential and necessary for the study;
• make sure that you are not identified by the data by anonymising;
• use your anonymised data only for the purposes stated;
• store data safely in password-protected databases to which only expert researchers have access;
• not keep your information for longer than is necessary;
• safely destroy your data by shredding or permanently deleting them.

The University of Derby will act as the Data Controller for this study. This means that the University is responsible for looking after your information and using it properly. Researchers on the project with access to the data are highly qualified and experienced and have been very careful to ensure the security of your data. The study was approved for its ethical standards by the AHE research ethics committees at the University of Derby. However, in the unlikely event that you feel you need to make a complaint regarding the use of your information, you can contact the Data Protection Officer at the University of Derby: Helen Rishworth +44 (0)1332 591954 or the Information Commissioners Office 0303 123 1113. Further information about the project can be obtained from Gareth Hughes (see below), at the University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby DE22 1GB, UK.

Who can I speak to if I have questions or concerns about this research?
If you have any questions about this research, you can contact:
Research Lead – Gareth Hughes g.hughes@derby.ac.uk or write to him at Student Wellbeing, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby DE22 1GB
Student Services Manager – Jo Jones j.jones@derby.ac.uk or Tel: 01332 591314

NEW SURVEY FOR HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONERS: TALKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY USE ​
​​🕘 15 MINUTES ​​​​

Heavy digital technology use amongst young people has been linked to poor mental health and may pose risks for those who self-harm, are suicidal or have eating disorders. But digital technology can also be helpful to young people’s mental health. For example, it can be used to assess risk, deliver therapeutic interventions and to help clinicians build relationships with service users.
​
It has also been recommended by the Royal College of Psychiatrists that more mental health practitioners talk to younger patients about their digital technology use.

Our research explores questions around how young people’s digital technology use could be harnessed during mental health consultations with young people, to improve the delivery of care and to manage risk. As a first step, we want to scope current practice and gather practitioners’ views about what might be beneficial, feasible and acceptable.
​
We are keen to hear from anyone working in statutory and non-statutory services to complete our 20-minute questionnaire.
 
The survey can be found here
 
All responses eligible to be entered into a £50 prize draw!
 
The study is led by Dr Lucy Biddle and the University of Bristol and is joint funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as part of their ‘Adolescence, Mental Health and the Developing Mind’ programme of research.

Research Ethics Number: FREC 103102

Contact details
Dr Lucy Biddle: Lucy.Biddle@bristol.ac.uk or Dr Jane Derges: jane.derges@bristol.ac.uk

​EATING DISORDER SERVICE PROVISION FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS - PROFESSIONALS SURVEY

From our work in this area and previous research, we know that accessing professional support can be challenging. We know that students can find it difficult to receive continuous health care as move between home and university. We also know that good, early support is important.There have been many calls for universities and GP services to provide and commission specialist support appropriate for the needs of university students. Student Minds, are launching an audit to establish to what extent appropriate services are available to support students with eating disorders.

This research project will form one component of that audit. While we are consulting students, to gain an insight into their experience, we are very keen to hear from professionals involved in supporting students, providing or coordinating treatment. The focus of this consultation is to establish from professionals:
1. To what extent do students with experience of eating disorders receive appropriate, sufficient and timely treatment and support;
2. What are the barriers and facilitators to provision of appropriate support; 
3. Are there examples of good practice in supporting students with eating disorders at university. 

We are inviting professionals with experience of supporting students with eating disorders to take part. This might be in terms of providing or coordinating treatment. Alternatively, it may be in a less formal capacity. 

To complete the survey and for further information: https://kcliop.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cRMPrBjOmJNeVal

​​​WELL@UNI [WELLBEING AND EXPERIENCES OF LIVING AND LEARNING AT UNIVERSITY]​

This research study is exploring how university policies and practices impact on student experiences of mental wellbeing at university, and how this is experienced by different student groups. The findings will be used to generate policy and practice recommendations.
 
To take part, all students studying in the UK are invited to sign up to a one hour online focus group. Upon signing up, the researcher will be in contact to confirm registration and obtain consent documentation. All participants will receive a £10 amazon voucher.  

This project received ethical approval from Durham University School of Education ethics committee on 18 September 2020. If you have any queries regarding this approval, please contact ed.ethics@durham.ac.uk, reference: EDU-2020-09-12T16:28:16-pjnw34

​TOWARDS A STANDARD MINIMUM DATASET FOR COUNSELLING SERVICES EMBEDDED IN HIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION
​📅​​​ 31ST MARCH 2021

As part of the Student Counselling Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SCORE)  initiative, we’re exploring the data that services routinely collect about their students who access counselling or mental health teams within the sector. Knowing this information will identify similarities and gaps in data collection that will inform the development of a standard minimum dataset for the sector. To inform this goal, we would like to hear from students, researchers and practitioners to learn about the types of data that should be collected by student counselling and mental health services, and learn how this varies from the data that is being collected. 

This activity has been launched with a short survey that will lead to a series of online consultations to continue these conversations concerning priority areas for data collection in student support services. 

Access the survey here: 
https://sheffieldpsychology.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bqFjaBxjuCzgHWZ

​MENTAL HEALTH STATUS AND INFLUENCING FACTORS AMONG LGBT PERSONS
🕘 20 MINUTES  📅​​​ 31ST MARCH 2021

Approved by the De Montfort University (DMU) Research Ethics Committee.

As part of my MSc degree, I am conducting a study designed to assess the mental health status of LGBT persons in comparison with cisgender heterosexual counterparts. Participants are required to be 18+, self-identify as either LGBT or heterosexuals. The online questionnaire is estimated to take approximately 20 minutes. Please feel free to share it with your network. Thank you! ​

To participate: https://dmupsy.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8r0ohPUKSBpSyHP
You can contact the researcher via email: P2548446@my365.dmu.ac.uk, or the Supervisor via yuanyuan.wang@dmu.ac.uk

MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH
🕘 10-20 MINUTES 📅​​​ 19TH APRIL 2021

What is the purpose of the study?
We are aiming to better understand emotions and mental health awareness within men who are currently experiencing low mood or depression. We know mental health difficulties are common, and yet research on men’s experiences of these problems have yet to be fully understood. By taking part in this research you could help develop mental health services in the UK to support men better.

Who can participate in the study?
We are inviting cis-gendered males (as transgendered males may have different experiences, which would benefit from research that allows for and focuses on this) aged 18 and above to take part in our study. Specifically we are looking for men who are currently experiencing low mood or depression and who are NOT currently and have NOT previously received support for their mental health difficulties; either through medication or psychological therapy.

As the questionnaires that we are using are not currently available in different languages, participants must be able to read English and have sufficient computer skills to be able to complete the online questionnaire.

What are the benefits to me for taking part?
By taking part you will be helping increase our understanding of men’s mental health which could help mental health services within the UK. If you choose to take part you have the option to be enter a prize draw to win one of five £20 Amazon vouchers as a way of thanking you for your time.       

To take part, please click here                   ​

THE GREAT STUDENT WELLBEING EXPERIMENT 
📅​​​ 31 APRIL 2021

This study aims to determine whether our wellbeing resources (from Tasting Colours) have a positive effect on your confidence, resilience, motivation and mental wellbeing. There will be an initial survey about your wellbeing, and wellbeing resources will be sent to you upon completion.  Participants will be given 3 weeks to use our resources. The last survey will be sent to participants where they will self-report their experience of the resources. After completing both surveys, participants will also be entered into a prize draw for a chance of winning a £50 shopping voucher and can get further information on applying to be a student advisor with Tasting Colours.

To take part, please click here. 
​
For further information please download the Participant Information Letter. 

Ethically approved by King’s College London Research Ethics Committee (REC Reference Number: LRS-19/20-18777)

 SOCIAL FACTORS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING IN DOCTORAL STUDENTS
🕘 15 MINUTES 📅​​​ 30TH APRIL 2021

What is the purpose of the study?
The aim of this study is to develop understanding of social factors that impact on mental health and psychological wellbeing in PhD students. The findings of this study could contribute to the development of tailored interventions that seek to improve psychological wellbeing in doctoral students during the PhD journey.

​What will happen to me if I take part?
​If you decide you would like to take part, you will be required to complete a survey that will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. The survey will include questions about factors related to your psychological wellbeing as a doctoral student.
 
If you are a doctoral student and would like to hear more about this study, the information sheet and details on how you can take part are available at this link: https://lncn.ac/phdwellbeing.
 
For more information, please contact Dr Patricia Jackman (pjackman@lincoln.ac.uk), School of Sport and Exercise, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK, LN67TS. ​

YOUTH LONELINESS
🕘 20 MINUTES 📅​​​ 31ST JULY 2021

Are you aged between 18 to 24?
Have you ever felt lonely?
Are you currently in university?
If the answer is yes then would you like to take part our study to tackle loneliness?
​
What is the study about?
The recent coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and associated restrictions and changes have had an emotional impact on young people. As part of my master’s degree in mental health, I am interested in looking at new ways of helping young people manage their wellbeing and loneliness, focusing on negative thoughts. I would like to invite University students who have varying experiences of loneliness to take part in this study.

What will happen?
We will interview you and ask you to describe experiences you have had with loneliness; this will take approximately 30 minutes. To help us to keep a record of your experiences, we would like to record the interview on Microsoft Teams; you may wish to switch your camera off during the interview. Once we have extracted the relevant information, we will delete the recording. To say thank you for your time, we will send you a £10 voucher.

How to participate?
We are looking for 18-24 years olds that understand fluent English and have access to the internet for an interview on Microsoft Teams.

If you would like to participate please contact Olivia Gibson via email olivia.n.gibson@kcl.ac.uk

UNDERSTANDING THE ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION
​OF DIGITAL MENTAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGY
🕘 1 HOUR 📅​​​ 31ST JULY 2021

​Have you used university counselling services?
Have they suggested you use any apps or websites?

If the answer is yes, would you like to take part in an interview about your experiences of digital mental health interventions. You will be entered into a £45 prize draw for taking part
 
What is the study about?
Due to COVID-19 accessing counselling has become harder and many are now given mental health apps instead of formal counselling. As part of my master’s degree in mental health, I am interested in university students who have been offered mental health apps and they attitudes and beliefs of this experience. I would like to invite university students who have been offered a mental health app as an intervention to participate.
 
What will happen?
You will be interviewed for approximately an hour and will be asked about your beliefs, attitudes, and experiences of being recommended a mental health app. The interview will be recorded on Microsoft teams and to thank you for your time you will be entered into a £45 amazon voucher prize draw.
 
If you are interested in participating, please contact Amy Perkins at msxap21@nottingham.ac.uk

KEEPCOOL
🕘 30 MINUTES 📅ONGOING

What is it?
KeepCool is a series of educational materials to help young people learn about and cope with strong emotions. It is also a platform for young people to share their experiences. The first two videos, covering tips for coping with anxiety and sadness, are out and available on the KeepCool website.

How can I get involved?
The KeepCool team is looking for more young people to share their experiences.

What do I have to do?
You can get involved in a few simple steps:

1. Watch the videos and read the advice on anxiety and sadness on the KeepCool website.
2. Pick one piece of advice that resonates with you the most and record a short video (just under a minute) talking about that point and how it helps you.
3. Send the video to keepcool@kcl.ac.uk.

Are there any benefits in my taking part?
If your video is picked to appear on KeepCool’s socials, the team will send you a £10 Love2shop e-Gift Cards* as a thank you.  
*Love2shop e-Gift Cards give access to a special, curated catalogue of more than 30 popular brands that include online shops, high street favourites, delivery services, and more. Find more information at www.highstreetvouchers.com/e-gift-cards/love2shop-e-gift-card.

How can I find out more?
To find out more and to take part, email keepcool@kcl.ac.uk.

You can also see more resources on the project's social media channels:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

DETERMINANTS AND IMPACT OF WELLBEING DURING UNIVERSITY TO WORK TRANSITIONS
🕘 10-15 MINUTES 📅 31ST AUG 2021

Leaving university can be a difficult time for many, but there is limited academic research about this process and the impact it can have on people. This study is interested in the experiences of final year students as they transition from university into employment and particularly the impact this may have on their wellbeing.  

If you have just completed an undergraduate degree at a UK university, you can help by completing an online survey, which should take around 10 - 15 minutes, and you may even win a £25 voucher.  On completion of the survey, you will have the opportunity to participate further If you wish. 

The survey will include questions on the aspirations and expectations that students hold for university and how these relate to their career after graduation.  The study looks at what factors may have Informed and Influenced student's aspirations and expectations, and if leaving university, achieving or failing to achieve their aspirations and expectations is associated with their levels of wellbeing.

To take part, please click here.

For further information, or if you have any questions, please email j.craik-nicoll.1@research.gla.ac.uk

RELATING TO OTHERS, AND THE IMPACT ON BELIEFS AND BEHAVIOURS​
🕘 20 MINUTES 📅​​​ 9TH NOVEMBER 2021 ​​​​​​

This study aims to investigate how we relate to others, and the impact on our beliefs and how we act.
 
Why have I been asked to participate?
Everyone is welcome to participate.
 
What will happen to me if I take part?
If you decide to take part, you will complete an online questionnaire.  The full survey should take no longer than 20 minutes to complete.
 
Are there any benefits in my taking part?
By taking part, you will help contribute to the knowledge in this area.  All participants will be offered the opportunity to be entered into an Amazon draw for one of four vouchers worth £50, drawn at the end of the study.

​To take part, please click here.

BEST PRACTICE FOR INVOLVING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A LIVED EXPERIENCE OF SUICIDE AND/OR SELF-HARM IN SUICIDE RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
🕘 APPROX 1 HOUR TOTAL, SHORT SURVEY AND FOLLOW UP INTERVIEW 📅​​​ 19TH NOVEMBER, 2021

Content notice – this study invitation covers the topic of suicide and self-harm. 

Orygen are currently working on a project which explores how young people and researchers can work together in youth suicide prevention research.

A bit of background to the study:
-           As you may know, young people haven’t had much of a say in what youth suicide prevention research looks like, and there haven’t been many opportunities to have young people actively involved. So, this project is trying to change that by developing two sets of guidelines. One that’s a guide for researchers in how to most meaningfully partner with young people. And the other one will be like a toolkit for young people in how to get involved in safe and meaningful ways.
-           It is our hope that these guidelines and the toolkit will give youth suicide prevention researchers more confidence around how to effectively, safely and meaningfully partner with young people in their work, and thereby increasing the quality and impact of youth suicide prevention research broadly. 
The opportunity is specifically for young people (up to age 30) who are: 1) aged 15-30, 2) have a lived experience of suicide or self-harm, whether this be your own experience or caring for someone who has that experience; and 3) have experience participating in suicide research and 4) have not been bothered by suicidal thoughts on more than half the days in the last two weeks 5) live In one of the following countries: UK, Ireland, Australia, USA or Canada
We consider lived experience of suicide as all of these experiences: lived experience of - having suicidal thoughts or feeling suicidal; of surviving a suicide attempt; caring for someone through a suicidal crisis; being bereaved by (losing a friend or loved one to) suicide. 
What does participation involve?
-           Complete an online demographic questionnaire and a wellness plan (approx 15-20 minutes total); and 
-           Participate in a 1:1 interview via zoom or telephone, (approx 45 minutes).
o          You will be asked questions about your past experiences of being involved in research activities and about any challenges you experienced when sharing your lived experience of suicide and/or self-harm in research activities. 
o          You will also be invited to provide any advice you would have for researchers who would like to safely and effectively involve young people in suicide research.
-           Participants will be reimbursed with a 20GBP voucher in recognition of your time. 
Interested? Please follow this link and complete the screening questionnaire.

ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO REDUCE WORRY
🕘 3 ONLINE SESSIONS PER WEEK, FOR 1 MONTH 📅​​​ 30TH DEC 2021

​Do you worry frequently?

Would you like to learn how to think more positively?

Come and join this study! 

The purpose of the study is to identify who benefits most from a training that aims to reduce worry. The training is helpful for worriers, but some respond better than others. The findings of this study will help inform patient choice in the future.

The study itself involves completing questionnaires and simple computer-based tasks online. The questionnaires will ask about how you typically respond to stressful and positive situations. The online training for worry will involve listening to scenarios and making judgements about them. You are encouraged to complete three sessions per week (i.e., complete all 10 sessions over a one-month period). The follow-up assessments will assess changes in worry related symptoms.

Upon completion of the study, participants will be given a chance to enter a prize draw to win amazon gift vouchers (1 of 1 £120, 1 of 1 £70, and 1 of 4 £50).

The winners will be notified once data collection ends. (Please note: Participants with less than 75% accuracy on “attention check” questions will not be eligible to receive incentives.)

You can register to take part online.

If you have any questions, email Yuxin Liu - yuxin.liu@kcl.ac.uk

EXPERIENCES OF ANXIETY
​🕘 4 GROUP DISCUSSIONS ACROSS A 3 MONTH PERIOD 📅​​​ 31ST JANUARY 2022

Anxiety:  Participate in online discussions about experiences of anxiety
 
What is happening to you when you feel anxious?
 
How do anxious states affect the way you experience the world and other people?
 
Participants are needed for a study starting in late January 2022 looking at your physical experience of anxiety and how close attention to this may reshape our understanding and experience of anxiety.
 
Time commitment:  4 group discussions of 1.5 hours over a period of 3 months, conducted online via zoom.  
 
We are looking for participants aged 18-25 years in education, employment, training or neither.  
You will be eligible for the study if you have experienced anxiety in the last three months, either as a common occurrence in your everyday life, or if you have had two or more memorable episodes of feeling anxious.  
You will not be eligible for the study if you are currently receiving medication for anxiety or having regular sessions with a psychiatrist or psychological therapist.
 
The findings will contribute to the design of new therapeutic interventions.  This research project is not itself a therapeutic intervention, although it may be helpful for some participants.
 
To express an interest in participating in this study and to receive further information, please email me at caroline.dower@durham.ac.uk.  I will send information and a short questionnaire to complete, and then schedule a zoom call to discuss the study and answer any of your questions.
 ​

ONLINE SELF-HARM AND SUICIDE CONTENT: UNDERSTANDING WHAT MAKES CONTENT HARMFUL AND FOR WHO
🕘 20 MINUTES 📅​​​ 31ST JANUARY 2022

Samaritans want to hear your experiences of viewing or sharing online content related to self-harm and suicide to make the internet a safer place. 

About the study
We would like to understand the effects of viewing or accidentally stumbling across online content related to suicide and self-harm.
We wish to understand why and how this content is experienced as helpful to some people and upsetting to others.
This knowledge will inform discussions and policy decisions. We aim to help make the Internet a safer and more inclusive place.
What will it involve?
Taking part would involve completing an online survey. Completing the survey should take around 10-20 minutes, depending on the experiences you might be sharing, and you can skip any questions that you would prefer not to answer.
You do not need to have any experience of self-harm or suicidality to complete the survey. We would like to hear the experiences of a range of people living in the UK, including:
- those who have experienced self-harm or suicidal feelings;
- those who have supported someone through suicidality or self-harm;
- those who have no personal experience of suicide or self-harm but have nonetheless seen self-harm or suicide content online at some point.
Who is conducting this study?
This research is being conducted by Middlesex University with colleagues at the University of Birmingham and Canterbury Christ Church University, in partnership with Samaritans.

​You can take part in this survey if you have ever seen, posted, or engaged with self-harm or suicide content online. This content could include online news stories about self-harm or suicide, lived experience accounts, and stories of hope or recovery. You do not need to have personal experience of self-harm or suicidal feelings to take part. 
 
Find out how to take part in this survey here. ​

INVESTIGATING THE IMPACTS OF HELP-SEEKING STIGMA AND MENTAL ILLNESS STIGMA ON HELP-SEEKING BEHAVIOURS IN UK UNIVERSITY STUDENTS.
🕘 15 MINUTES 📅​​​ 30TH MARCH 2022 ​

Looking for university students, domestic and international, studying in the UK!
 
In this survey, you will be asked to complete a series of short questionnaires on different topics surrounding mental health and help seeking. Topics include your understanding of mental health, your own mental health, how you choose to seek help, and your beliefs surrounding mental health and seeking help.

Completing the study should take no longer than 15 minutes!

Researcher contact details: 
Ella Goodall: ella.goodall.2021@uni.strath.ac.uk
Sarah Brook: sarah.brock.2021@uni.strath.ac.uk
Christoph A Graf R: christoph.graf-rodriguez.2021@uni.strath.ac.uk
​

INVESTIGATING ILL-MENTAL HEALTH IN DIGITAL GAMES WITH A PURPOSE.
🕘 PLAYING A COMPUTER GAME A RESPONDING TO A SERIES OF SHORT SURVEYS ACROSS A FEW WEEKS  📅​​​ ONGOING

WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY VIDEO GAMES FOR SCIENCE? 
NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED! 
You just need to click and type and you could win one of twenty £10 Amazon Vouchers.
​
Who?
To be a part of the study participants should be:

• 18+ years old and able to provide consent. 
• Currently studying for a degree (Undergraduate, Postgraduate, taught or research – any!)
• Can install a game on computer (Windows).
• Be comfortable engaging with mental health and ill-mental health topics (depression, anxiety). 

One of the ethical safeguards within the study as it contains ill-mental health information/content is that students provide their email, but also a named contact. It is suggested this contact be their university wellbeing services, or personal tutor but can be anyone else – this would only be used in the event of a disclosure to the PI. 

What?
Within the past decade, there has been an emergence of a new type of game – a digital game with a purpose (DGWAP). These games function on the same level as commercially successful games. The added dimension is that these experiences are driven by social issues such as sexuality, race, religion, and ill-mental health. As these games are niche, there has been little research of the impact they have on players. This project will measure receptivity and behaviour to investigate if these games can increase mental health literacy (knowledge) and foster more positive attitudes towards those persons experiencing ill-mental health (empathy). This is done by examining the impact/differences of player factors, and game factors such as Narrative (story) and procedural (game mechanics) rhetoric. This study is investigating if allowing a player to experience ill-mental health through a DGWAP can support information receptivity and impact feelings of empathy. 
 
How?
The study is being conducted via Qualtrics.

Contact for more:  leechc@edgehill.ac.uk @ChrisLPsych