We are delighted to introduce our SMaRteN Student Media Team for 2020/21...

After being overwhelmed with the number of applications, we have selected a new group of 12 undergraduate and postgraduate students to represent the student voice as part of our Network. The Student Media Team will form an integral part of SMaRteN, interviewing members from within our network and outside to include mental health campaigners and activists to provide a student perspective on mental health research and communicate this through our social media channels. 

Get to know the Student Team

Sabrina Ali
I am a UCL medical student with a previous BSc from Kings. My clinical exposure has highlighted just how significant mental health is and how closely it is related to physical disease. The overwhelming and intimidating nature of university can often overshadow the numerous positives, it is therefore essential to look into what we can do to change this. Students should be able to commit to their education without the fear of it costing them their peace and social life. I feel a responsibility to confront the stigmas surrounding mental health that remain a taboo in certain cultural, religious, and social communities. Being able to contribute to student mental health, as a part of SMaRteN, is such an exciting opportunity. We as a community should aim to start the conversation, confront the cause, and offer the correct support and guidance. The goal is to break barriers and normalise these uncomfortable conversations.

Freya Rennison
Hi, I'm Freya and I'm a third year Psychology and Philosophy student at the University of Oxford. I'm very interested in the intersection between mental health, education and policy, and the amount of work that still needs to be done to join up these fields. I feel passionately that an essential part of research is making the findings accessible to the public and I'm really excited to be a part of that process. 

Ellie Duncan
​I'm Ellie Duncan, and I'm in my final year studying English Language and Literature at the University of Birmingham. Lack of adequate support for students with mental health issues is something I've been very concerned about during my university experience. University is a turbulent and challenging time for many, and research into how best to help students manage during this period of their lives is important. So I'm looking forward to getting stuck into the SMaRteN media team and learning more about student mental health!

Daniella Joseph
Hello! My name is Daniella and I am a 4th year undergraduate student currently studying Medicine with European Studies at the University of Manchester. Having previously volunteered as a student peer-advisor and having studied at university for several years, I have seen first-hand how important our mental health is and how poor mental health amongst students can lead to poor outcomes. I am passionate about trying to combat this and helping to find sustainable ways to improve our mental health. I am excited to be part of the SMaRteN Student Media Team this year, helping to bridge the gap between academic mental health research and the everyday life of students in a creative and accessible way.

Eric Berger
 I’m Eric, a third-year student at the University of Edinburgh.  I study mathematics and statistics but hope to transition into clinical psychology after my undergraduate.  I became interested in joining the Student Media Team to better understand what affects student mental health in universities.  In my experience, while there are many resources for students struggling with mental health, it is still prevalent and stigmatized.  I’m excited to have conversations with researchers that will contribute towards normalizing mental health struggles, along with forming a better understanding of what factors contribute towards them. I’m Eric, a third-year student at the University of Edinburgh.  I study mathematics and statistics but hope to transition into clinical psychology after my undergraduate.  I became interested in joining the Student Media Team to better understand what affects student mental health in universities.  In my experience, while there are many resources for students struggling with mental health, it is still prevalent and stigmatized.  I’m excited to have conversations with researchers that will contribute towards normalizing mental health struggles, along with forming a better understanding of what factors contribute towards them.

Aiseosa Erhahon
I'm Aiseosa and I am a 19 year old undergraduate at the University of Edinburgh studying International Relations & International Law.

Octavia Brayley
Hi! I'm Octavia, a Master's by Research student at the University of Bristol studying Biological Sciences. I am incredibly passionate about mental health and I think research and education are vital to break the stigma and raise awareness about conditions that are severely affecting university students. Since being in recovery from mental illness myself, I am getting involved with many projects and platforms to make a positive change. I am so excited to be working with the SMaRteN team to make student voices heard and to participate in essential research which will hopefully change the mental health education and services at universities for the better. 

Abraham Brown
Hey! My name is Abraham and I am a final year law undergraduate at King’s College London. Looking back on my time at university, one of the most crucial developments in my identity has come through education on mental health. Being able to understand on a more holistic level why I feel the way I do, and why certain events cause myself to react in different ways, has helped to unlock a deeper level of self-awareness and happiness. As the world increasingly shifts towards remote working and increased isolation, I believe the work we do at SmaRteN will be highly relevant to people of all ages, and I am excited to add value to this cause!

Melissa Adler
My Name is Melissa and I am a 22 year old Turkish Cypriot woman. I study Counselling, Psychotherapy and Criminology at the University of Derby, I am also writing my first book! 

Abigail Adewole
Hello! My name is Abigail, I'm 20 years old and from London. I currently study psychology at the University of Lincoln. Alongside university, I also blog in my free time about lifestyle and ethical fashion! I realised the importance of speaking about mental health when I was doing a degree in Paramedic Science before I transferred to do Psychology. I struggled with my mental health while studying Paramedic Science and it took a huge toll on me because I didn't feel like I could voice my state of mind. My hope for being on the student media team is to get a better understanding of how students can destigmatise mental illnesses and look to different resources to help improve their mental health

Ben Cargill
Hey there, I’m a fourth-year Veterinary Science student at the University of Bristol. As someone who has experienced mental health problems, I feel very passionately about helping other students and breaking down the stigma around mental health. In particular, vet school and the veterinary profession are highly stressful and taxing environments, and there are often not enough resources and help available. During my time on the SMaRteN Student Media Team, I hope to cover and talk openly about the challenge’s veterinary surgeons and nurses face on a day-to-day basis, and in doing so can help educate and provide support for university students. In my own time, I like to go cycling, wildlife watching, and scuba diving in the summer (when it’s warm enough).