Mental Health Champions

ThinkHigher piloted this project in term three of the 23/24 academic year to develop the skills of year 10 pupils from three local schools to become "Mental Health Champions".

All content was designed by an accredited UKCP Psychotherapist (SCoPEd band C) with the support and input of our wider team to ensure the most appropriate and helpful content for the young people involved.

These sessions aim to provide:

• Relevant and appropriate information and skills regarding mental health and well-being
• Increased participant confidence
• Increased sense of belonging
• Better awareness of well-being strategies and signposting

Why this project?

Gen Z are more likely to express their feelings online and through social media but they are less likely to seek help or professional support compared to older generations (McKinsey & Company)

Peer support has a significant impact on young adults' mental health. High-quality friendships, characterised by support, understanding, and validation, are linked to higher life satisfaction and better mental health outcomes (NIH News in Health)

Young adults referred by friends are more likely to seek and engage in counselling services compared to those who were not (BMC Public Health, 2021)

84% of participants stated that they felt more able to be a Mental Health Champion after the campus event, with many pupils citing improved skills and knowledge, increased confidence and validated feelings as reasons for feeling equipped to support peers

"A great

experience!"

The Structure

The ThinkHigher team utilised their research, knowledge, skills and experiences to develop a pilot project with three core aspects:

1. A one hour pre-event session in school to introduce the programme, start an open conversation around mental health and complete pre-project evaluation tasks
2. A five hour campus event at Coventry University with participants from all three schools, which included a range of interactive activities to explore what anxiety is, psychoeducation and anxiety-reducing techniques, the role and responsibilities of a Mental Health Champion, school support processes and also a campus tour of Coventry University.
3. A one hour post-event session in school to discuss the project and complete evaluation tasks
4. An optional post-project check-in with participants in 2025 to see their progress and support with any in-school initiatives the champions want to plan

Recommendations for Schools

Based on the pilot project feedback and focus groups, ThinkHigher identified key areas that young people would like schools to focus on regarding mental health, these can be found in our Mental Health Champions Pilot Project Impact Report, launching on the 10th October.

Plans for 2024/25

ThinkHigher are currently busy planning the roll out of the Mental Health Champions project, taking the lessons learnt from our pilot. If your school is interested in signing up or you are a student and would like to be involved, get in contact with us at info@thinkhigher.ac.uk.