Since joining MQ Mental Health Research in February this year, I knew that students had the potential to play an important role in transforming mental health. As a recent graduate and someone who was heavily involved in volunteering at university, I knew that getting students involved at MQ would be a huge asset to the charity.
Over the past few months, I have been working to establish and grow MQ’s Student Ambassador Programme, a new initiative designed to empower students to champion mental health research within their universities and communities. It’s been exciting to see the programme take shape and we’re delighted by the response so far. We now have 13 Student Ambassadors across 5 universities in the UK!
As the programme begins to take shape, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on what we have achieved so far and why student involvement is so important to MQ’s work.
What is the MQ Student Ambassador Programme?
The MQ Student Ambassador Programme brings together students who are passionate about mental health and want to make a difference on campus. Ambassadors help raise awareness of mental health research, organise fundraising events, promote MQ’s campaigns and encourage other students to get involved in volunteering opportunities.
We have developed the programme to be flexible around students’ busy academic schedules and adaptable to what suits them. Whether that’s running a fundraising event, sharing content on social media, hosting a stall at a Freshers’ Fair, or helping shape future campaigns, students have the opportunity to contribute in ways that are meaningful to them.
Importantly, the programme is about more than supporting MQ’s work. It also gives students the opportunity to develop valuable skills and experience in areas such as leadership, teamwork, campaigning and advocacy, while building confidence and connecting with others who share an interest in improving mental health.
Why Young People Matter
As we know, mental health challenges affect millions of people every year and this can often disproportionately impact young people. As postdoctoral researcher and MQ Ambassador, Dr Esther Beierl has previously suggested, university can be a time of heightened psychological vulnerability. Meaning, the beginning of higher education coincides with a critical window for both the development and recognition of mental disorders. Given the unique challenges many students face, their experiences and perspectives are essential to informing mental health research.
The Student Ambassador Programme is part of MQ’s commitment to involving the public in mental health research. We don’t think research should happen separately from the people it is intended to benefit and students bring important perspectives on the challenges facing young people today, the support they need and the issues that matter most to them. Throughout the programme, students have opportunities to engage with mental health research, contribute to wider conversations and help build stronger links between students, researchers and the wider mental health community. By involving students in our work, we hope to ensure that these perspectives help inform conversations about the future of mental health research and its real-world impact.
The Response So Far
One of the most rewarding aspects of setting up the programme has been speaking with students who are eager to get involved. It has been incredibly encouraging to see students embrace the opportunity to help shape the initiative as it develops. Their feedback and ideas have already influenced our thinking and will continue to guide the programme as it grows.
We’re excited to introduce two of our Student Ambassadors, Poppy and Theo, from the University of Bristol, who have said a few words about why they’re excited to join the MQ team.