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This article has been co-written by Jemima Dooley , Florence Sargent , and Jay Bate Sometimes when I walk across my university campus, I stop and think: what on earth is this place? I’m in a place of learning and teaching, but it’s also a place where tens of thousands of people live, shop, eat, work out, and socialise. It’s a huge employer, there’s an on-site nursery, an award-winning grounds team, an open-air swimming pool, bars, laundry and transportation services. It’s a city within a city. Then I think: where do you even start with improving wellbeing in a place like this? Because that’s my job - I’m currently a Research Fellow on Nurture-U, a UKRI-funded project exploring the many different ways to support university student mental health. And because it’s my job, I then walk back to the office to answer emails and get lost in the minutiae of keeping a multi-million-pound project progressing. But today, I don’t want to do this. I’ve had this exciting opportunity through the AMHDM series in the great Inspire the Mind digital magazine to take a minute to reflect on my role and identity within Nurture-U and the wider context of researching mental health. I want to use this article to think about the bigger picture and meditate on my place within it alongside our research in Nurture-U. And I’m very grateful for two of our Nurture-U student advisors, students with paid roles supporting our research, who have agreed to do this with me. Hopefully, our reflections will resonate and highlight how everyone in these vast institutions has their own individual struggles. If enough of us take a moment to consider how we can make universities a place which actively supports its students and staff, then we can start driving positive changes. Writer's image - Promoting Nurture-U on campus Jay As a current undergraduate student, I truly understand and relate to the frustrations expressed by other students through my involvement with the Compassionate Campus project with Nurture-U. Many students share a sense of disconnect between the university's intentions to listen to student voices and the challenging reality of translating those intentions into meaningful action. Coming to university from a small town in the North, I’ve always felt like I was trying to play catch-up. In my first year, it seemed like everyone else had it figured out while I was struggling to find my footing. It felt like there was an unspoken expectation from some tutors and the institution to achieve high grades right from the start. This pressure can be particularly daunting for those of us who did not have the same educational advantages before arriving at university. Once you fall behind, catching up feels almost impossible. Higher education often overlooks the reality of personal challenges such as illness or grief, which many students face. It’s the reality of many students, regardless of where they are in their academic journey. The immense stress of trying to regain lost ground can create an overwhelming sense of anxiety and frustration. However, students are more than just grades and assignments. Our experiences, struggles, and mental health should be valued as part of our educational journey. Initiatives like Nurture-U have the potential to shift how students are perceived within universities by promoting a more compassionate approach. Recognising that every student faces unique challenges is essential; we cannot simply pause our lives for the sake of our studies. I'm excited to be a part of Nurture-U; a project where I feel that my voice is heard and valued. My hope is that we can inspire meaningful change within universities to foster a more supportive and understanding academic environment.   Florence I joined Nurture-U at the start of my final year after returning from my study abroad in Virginia, USA. My exchange year, during the second year of my degree, was a significant adjustment. The American academic system was surprisingly different, with GPA grading, six modules per term, two semesters, and daily classes that felt more like being back in school. In a way, I experienced being a “fresher” three times: first in Exeter, then in the US, and finally back in my final year. Support for study-abroad students is severely lacking. You often feel caught between two universities, not fully part of either. On top of that, unrealistic portrayals of university and exchange life add unnecessary pressure, resulting in the inevitable question: “Was it the best experience of your life?” It’s a tough question to answer when I reflect on the homesickness and imposter syndrome I struggled with while everyone else seemed to be coping. As a first-generation university student, I sometimes felt out of place in the drinking-centric culture at UK universities. The minimal contact hours and the heavily weighted essays – with some accounting for 50% of a module grade – were initially a shock, and I often compared myself to others. To deal with this, I turned to sports and internships, trying to gain work experience while saving up for my year abroad. However, maximising resources at the University of Exeter like the Writing Centre, the Entrepreneurship Hub, and the Study Zone, or discovering new hobbies and societies, requires stepping out of your comfort zone—a daunting challenge when just getting out of bed feels overwhelming. These experiences motivated me to join Nurture-U. We offer accessible tips and resources via social media to help reassure students who feel isolated or overwhelmed. Whether it’s your first or fourth year, everyone is navigating the unknown. However, Nurture-U reminds students that they’re not alone and that university doesn’t need to be “the best years of your life.” It’s just one more step on your journey. Writer's own image - Nurture-U research and student advisor team Jemima When I started my position on Nurture-U, I didn’t think much about the topic. I had been a mental health researcher for 10 years and I was excited by the opportunity to build on these skills in a new setting. It was when we were running focus groups as part of our Compassionate Campus workstream that I noticed this project felt different. The topic was ‘Classism’, and students described the exact feeling of alienation I had experienced. I was an 18-year-old from a comprehensive in rural Cornwall starting at Oxford University with everyone around me comparing their “London day schools”. Another time, I was talking to a postgraduate and her recent experience of extreme stress took me straight back to the third year of my PhD where I had regular panic attacks. But my discomfort stems more from the realisation that nothing has changed in over 15 years since I started university. In Nurture-U, we are taking a ‘whole university’ approach to improving wellbeing. We’re advocating for systems and staff to adapt to encompass and enhance the experience of a diverse body of students. However, alongside my research role, I also teach MSc students.  I see their daily struggle with busy lives pulling them in many different directions. I also see the teaching team often marking and answering emails in the evenings and weekends, juggling family life and health issues. Daily, I see postdocs exhausted from jumping between short-term contracts; I see professors with back-to-back meetings eating sandwiches off-screen in Teams calls, and I see lecturers burnt out and overwhelmed. When I think of this, why am I surprised that student wellbeing hasn’t changed in my nearly 20 years of university experience? How on earth can I think that a project like Nurture-U can make a difference? Then I come back to what my friend said to me once. With each research project, we are adding our brick to a tower of progress. In this role, I have met a huge number of inspiring, driven, caring individuals who make universities what they are. And I’m proud to be one of them.

Credit: Pexels- James Anthony I gamble. Not a lot, never recklessly, and certainly not in a way that keeps me up at night worrying about lost fortunes. But I do it. Gambling is one of those curious little quirks of the human condition - a habit as old as civilisation itself that has ruined lives. Yet, somehow, it remains an utterly beguiling way to spend a Saturday afternoon. To me, it is harmless fun. My particular brand of gambling is the modest, endearingly British variety — a few pounds on the football, the odd wager on the horses. When I win, the ‘buzz’ is quite incredible- I celebrate as though I have scored the winning goal in the Cup Final. If I lose, I tell myself I was robbed, and I get to rant about it, which is always enjoyable! But why? What is going on in my head that a win of few hundred pounds could have such an effect on me? The Psychology of Gambling: What’s going on in our heads? The truly fascinating aspect of gambling lies in what it tells us about our own psychology. Gambling, at its core, is just controlled uncertainty. And we humans love uncertainty. For instance, how many of us would watch a whole, recorded football match if we already knew the result? Studies have shown unpredictable rewards trigger the brain’s pleasure system more than predictable ones. We get a bigger dopamine hit from something we might  win than something we know we’ll get. It’s why slot machines are designed to dazzle and tease, why lotteries thrive despite their astronomically improbable odds, and why my brother still comes up with foolproof betting systems despite decades of evidence to the contrary. There is, of course, the social aspect. Once a month, I sit down with a bunch of friends for a tournament poker game that is as much about the chat as it is about the cards. I have been playing for several years, though I have won only once (December 2024). It isn’t really about the money — the only winner in the long-term is the local off-licence. It’s about the camaraderie, the jokes, and the chance to sit around a table with friends for a few hours pretending we are in Casino Royale . Gambling, for many, can be as much about connection as it is about risk. In its most harmless form, it can be as much about the shared experience as it is about the thrill of winning — the laughter, the stories, and those fleeting moments of triumph that bring people together. My delight at finally winning the Sunday night poker tournament. Credit: Chris Purves The Reality Check: Now, I know my limits. So do my boys (aged 23 & 21), who also gamble socially. My youngest son was taught how to calculate horse-racing odds when he was 10 years old by his racing-mad grandmother. I am fairly certain that none of us are in danger of spiralling into addiction, as we don’t gamble to supplement our income, but not everyone has that luxury. Some people struggle, and for them, the compulsion to gamble becomes maladaptive, disrupting their personal and professional lives . It’s a bit like how having a couple of pints at the pub is fine, but drinking twelve might leave you staring into the wreckage of a smashed friendship, a missed day at work, or a night spent regretting choices you can’t undo. There is, however, a fine line between casual gambling and problem gambling, and it’s a line that, for some, can shift subtly over time. Research shows that problem gambling often coincides with underlying mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, or difficult life circumstances. For these people, gambling isn’t just a bit of fun—it’s an escape, a coping mechanism, or even a compulsion. The shift towards online gambling, targeted advertising, and the sheer accessibility of betting platforms have played a role in both exacerbating problem gambling and, conversely, raising awareness about its risks . One of the biggest red flags in gambling behaviour is ‘chasing losses’—that desperate feeling that if you just keep betting, you’ll win it all back. Chasing losses is the great folly of the habitual gambler—like attempting to empty the sea with a thimble, it is an utterly hopeless task. The truth is, the odds are never in your favour, and bookmakers and casinos know this. The house always wins in the long run, and understanding that reality is key to keeping gambling enjoyable rather than stressful. Credit: Pexels- Tima Miroshnichenko I am not alone. Gambling in the UK spans all demographics, with men gambling more than women and participation peaking among 25-34 year-olds. Online gambling dominates among younger and middle-aged groups, while older adults often prefer traditional bookmakers or the National Lottery. Amazingly, the industry generates over £15 billion annually, which highlights the need for robust regulation and responsible gambling initiatives. So, why do we gamble? Perhaps the simplest answer is this: because it’s fun. Whether it’s the thrill of an unexpected win, the shared excitement of a big race, or just an excuse to spend time with friends, gambling scratches a psychological itch. For most of us, that’s all it is - a bit of entertainment, a little adrenalin, and the occasional fleeting illusion that we’ve somehow outsmarted the bookmakers. Interestingly, many people who gamble regularly don’t actually expect to win big. We know the odds are against us, yet we still play. There’s a kind of irrational optimism at work—a sense that maybe, just maybe, today will be our lucky day. It’s the same feeling that makes us buy a lottery ticket even though we know the chances of hitting the jackpot are the same as getting struck by lightning while being eaten by a shark - vanishingly small. It’s not just about the money; it’s about the possibility, however remote, of something extraordinary happening. The biggest single win I’ve ever had on the horses was £350—not exactly life-changing, but certainly enough to make me feel like a genius for the rest of the day. Thus, pocketing a few pounds on a Saturday afternoon won’t alter the course of your destiny, but it might just make your weekend a little bit sweeter. And that, for many of us, is more than enough reason to keep placing the occasional bet. Credit: Pexels.

On my last day of breast cancer treatment, I expected to have a spring in my step: my cancer had been caught early, I’d had amazing medical support, and my treatment hadn’t required chemo-, just radiotherapy. For months, I'd been reminded how lucky I was. But within a few weeks post-treatment, I was spiralling into depression. Photo by Vadim Fomenok  on Unsplash Diagnosis  I couldn’t have imagined the rage I’d feel upon hearing my cancer diagnosis. Media depictions of cancer patients in films and charity adverts had me believing that people diagnosed with cancer were dignified and temperate, smiling gratefully at others’ kindness. My only encounters with cancer patients had involved me saying teary goodbyes to loved ones in palliative care — my mother’s husband, and a few years later, a dear family friend. Hearing my diagnosis immediately brought my worst fears to the fore, and after the year I’d already had, those fears morphed into bridled anger. Thirteen months before my diagnosis my mother suddenly passed away. During my childhood, she battled ovarian cancer — a diagnosis I didn’t learn about until my teens. She remained in complete remission but ultimately died from heart complications. As the executor of her estate, with much to do, I compartmentalised my grief for the next year. At the end of that first year without my mother, just days before Christmas, a radiologist detected an irregularity in my breast scan. In the new year, my GP confirmed the diagnosis. My mental health, already fragile, buckled. But I thought, ‘At least my mother won’t have to go through it again.’ In Canada, mammograms are recommended every two years. Yearly tests are encouraged, but not strictly, for those with a genetic history of cancer. In the UK, it’s even less often . My GP, herself a breast cancer survivor, noted that catching my early-stage cancer was a stroke of luck. Had I attended my scheduled screening the prior year, instead of skipping it in lieu of executor duties, doctors might have missed it. I likely would’ve put off the next exam for another year, and by then it would’ve spread. My GP promptly lined me up with the same doctors she’d had following her diagnosis. Photo by Jr Korpa  on Unsplash Treatment Treatment isn’t just about medical care. It includes how you’re treated by friends, loved ones, and strangers you tell, inexplicably, about your diagnosis. It also involves how you care for yourself. And honestly, I might’ve cared for myself better, but there’s no playbook for one’s emotional game in these situations. No cancer patient arrives at their diagnosis with a clean slate. If you’ve been grappling with something, you might think as I did, ‘Well, bring it on. I’m already in shambles.’ Doctors and patients need reminding: the point of diagnosis is when it’s time to pay attention to the patient’s mental state, the time to check-in. But I was so angry, that I skipped this crucial step, and numbly attended the seemingly endless appointments, surgeries, and finally post-op. Recognising how fortunate I’d been, I proceeded almost apologetically. I rarely discussed my diagnosis and treatment, and kept to myself when I wasn’t trying to make the nurses laugh. Most patients were dealing with worse cancers, so I felt I had no right to complain. No right to my fear, anguish, and rage. Meanwhile, my medical team were so skilled and so caring. I sometimes imagined that I looked like a charity advertisement with my gracious smile. But beneath it all, I could feel a distant seething. The relative daze I was in throughout my treatment could be attributed to the radiation , but in retrospect, it was also an indication that I wasn’t doing as well as I was letting on. In need of control over my life, I told no one of my deepest feelings. If I had, I’d have been set up with a counsellor. I realise now that I believed I needed this rage to propel me through. Photo by Laura Chouette  on Unsplash Post-Treatment During treatment, you’re reminded to take it one day at a time. This may seem Zen-like, but with chemicals, radiation, and anxieties ripping through my body and mind, it was hardly mindfulness. Rather, I’d been constantly seeking mind less ness. It’s probably unsurprising that after the initial relief of hearing the clinic doctor declare the treatment’s success, I left the hospital with a kaleidoscopic range of feelings. One in two people in the UK  will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, with similar numbers in Canada, and there are never enough resources. You’re sent out the door with a few sheets of after-care instructions, including the number for post-treatment therapy. On the day that could’ve been among the happiest of my life, I felt something dragging on this elation I wanted to feel, like holding a weighted helium balloon. Studies show that a significant number of cancer survivors deal with depression post-treatment . The reasons are varied. Grief, for example, is common among cancer patients, who ‘ may grieve for many things, such as the loss of their sense of health and security, a lost body part.. . ’ They may be sensing pressure to be grateful, or to now live the rest of life to its fullest. Or, they may be feeling alone and uncertain about how to move forward after months of having a dedicated team of carers. All these, and more, may niggle at the brain. I was already exhibiting signs of depression, but it can be difficult to know where the cognitive effects and fatigue of treatment end, and the symptoms of anxiety and depression begin. By the time I sat down with a counsellor, the anger had metastasised. I couldn’t get comfortable with my new identity — being a ‘survivor’ who was terrified that the cancer would return.  The first counsellor I met seemed a great fit, but I was scheduled on her last day at the clinic. The second counsellor I met with had a woo-woo approach that my angry heart and mind had no patience for. Besides, I thought I was draining resources from ‘real cancer survivors’ so I stopped going. Eighteen months after my last treatment, I was still struggling, still angry, and still unable to pick through the feelings. Then came the pandemic and lockdowns. One of the best things I did for myself was tell my oncologist. When they ask how you are doing, they’re not being polite, not just performing their job duties. This is when you must dig deep and tell the truth. My oncologist put me back in touch with the Cancer Clinic counselling — a resource that is supposed to end after a year. Under lockdown, I met with someone over the phone, and I discovered I felt safer with the visual anonymity. The counsellor was well-experienced with delayed and complicated grief. After helping me work through some of it, she gave me coping mechanisms to try and recommended external clinics to contact. I sought out a couple of other counsellors until I came upon one that felt right. Sometimes, this search felt harder than battling cancer. Recently, I met with other cancer survivors and while validating, it was also devastating to learn that they too had felt a kind of rage and depression that they’ve never quite been able to shake. I can say that I’m now on the other side of the worst of it, passing my five-year cancer-free marker last spring, albeit with little to no fanfare. And I continue to step forward. Photo by ketan rajput  on Unsplash

Perfect World, a project to change the world. My name is Nico, I am 23 years old and to put it simply, I have lived a life of privilege and comfort. Having grown up in Johannesburg, Munich, San Francisco, and Madrid, I feel as though I have quite an international outlook on the world. However, living in South Africa in a well-off neighbourhood, right next to the townships just a few miles away, made me realise many of the inequalities in our world from a very young age. In a way, this has shaped me into the person I am today. Despite my own comfort, I have seen people struggle with their mental health and personal safety for a long time, between raging wars, socio-political issues, and a climate that has gotten out of control, I started feeling helpless. So, for the last 4 years, I have been trying to turn my experiences, my privileges, and my struggles into something that can help others. I believe that fashion has the power to move, “Making it Together. Not Alone.’’ This is why, I am on a mission. Introducing to you my project: ‘Perfect World’. Photo of Perfect World founder Nico Freitag (right) wearing a Perfect World t-shirt. The idea of ‘Perfect World’ has existed for quite some time now, however, the idea really came to life after I spent 9 long months in the hospital. Staring at these white walls gave me time to think… and I mean, really think. In a lot of ways, it was a real reset after a long time of reflection. Looking around me also gave me clarity and an understanding that my pain was not unique. I started to realise that so many other people have continuously struggled, and this is when I started dreaming about my vision of a perfect world. ‘Perfect World’ believes in doing, in acting, in making a statement through fashion. Ultimately, it believes in the power of the collective. The idea of ‘Perfect World’ is fairly simple and, in all honesty, I don’t know much about fashion. But it’s a way to use consumption for impact. I mean, think about it! We consume every day, so we might as well use that consumption for good, no? Perfect World, at its current stage, is a clothing brand unlike any other. With 100% of profits donated to our three charity partners ( Mental Health Initiative , Care in Action , and Plant for the Planet ), it’s a way to use fashion to raise awareness of the need for change, and act against the pressing issues of our current world. Today is ‘Time to Talk Day' , so I would like to share with you our mission to destigmatise mental health through fashion. From the three organisations that we support, mental health is the topic I have the deepest connection to, and relate to the most. I’ve struggled with depression and handling trauma for many years now. This year alone I was in a mental health treatment facility for three and a half months, something that was long overdue and I found extremely helpful. So, naturally, I started talking about it. This started resonating with ‘Perfect World’s’ mission, which embodies the need to ‘talk about it’, not only to raise awareness for the need for more support (especially for the younger generation), but also to destigmatise the discourse and normalise asking for help. So, whether it’s reaching out and checking in on friends and family, taking a stand for the wellbeing of others, or directly funding tangible items, we believe it is important to talk about, in as many ways as possible. Hence, the design of our t-shirt. We hope that it can serve as a reminder, and as an influence, to open up and talk to one another. Photo of Perfect World founder Nico Freitag (right) with the 'Talk About It' t-shirt. These directly fund tangible items such as a YAM booklet which is used in educating the youth on mental health. Empowering people to speak up and seek help matters so much. Our mental state reflects the world around us; it’s our entire existence and needs to be taken care of accordingly. I found it shocking that in 2024, 26 out of 100 people aged 18 and over suffered from at least one mental health condition. This made me want to further underline the urgent need for mental health advocacy, ultimately motivating me to get involved and fund initiatives that address widespread disparities and break down the stigma surrounding mental health. My vision and hope is that through the sale of our clothing, our project not only amplifies the message ‘talk about it’, but at the same time, financially supports Mental Health Initiative (MHI) in their efforts to destigmatise mental health, more specifically through their amazing YAM (Youth Aware of Mental Health) project, because it is truly an incredible organisation. By supporting this I am also hopeful that it can help society shift from massive consumerism to purchasing products that make a difference, because every contribution truly is more than just a purchase, it’s an active investment into our well-being and that of our future generations.    Ultimately, we need to realise that we, all of us, are in this together. This entire project is about building on the hope of a better future, bringing people together, and actively encouraging them to ‘talk about it’. It’s also all about lending a helping hand and making a statement that goes beyond borders. As someone who has had first-hand experience with the battles of mental health struggles, I know the power that can be found in going through that fight with support, and how much talking about it really does help. So, let’s make a difference, together, not alone. Thank you for your time, and if you’re interested in our work please click here . 'Talk About It' T-shirt.

There are worrying signs that public attitudes to mental health in England may be going backwords. Indeed, a recent study  from our research team reported significant changes in mental illness stigma and discrimination, indicating that public attitudes towards mental health are in decline for the first time in over a decade. After the positive changes that accompanied England’s Time to Change  programme,  which worked hard to reduce stigma and discrimination, it might seem reasonable to expect progress to continue, or at lease to plateau. However, the troubling finding of a decline in attitudes that started before the end of ‘Time to Change’ in 2021 suggests the story may be more complicated than that. Photo by Arif Riyanto on UnSplash I’m Amy , a population mental health researcher at King’s College London, and I was part of the team that ‘broke the story’, so to speak, on this worrying trend in mental health stigma. Let me explain how. The ‘Time to Change’ Campaign  ‘Time to Change’ was a national campaign in England delivered by the mental health charities Mind  and Rethink Mental Illness  between 2007 and 2021. What was the aim of time to change? Social marketing campaigns were largely aimed at adults aged 25-45 from middle-income groups, with some targeted campaigning for men and other specific groups. The campaign focused on helping people to feel more confident talking about mental health, while encouraging people to maintain contact (as opposed to social distancing) with people with mental health problems. In 2009, some measures of stigma (e.g. desire for social distance, attitudes) were added to the already existing national Attitudes to Mental Illness survey so that the impact of ‘Time to Change’ could be assessed. Between 2009 and 2019, results from the Attitudes to Mental Illness survey showed that there were significant improvements  in mental health stigma nationally. Specifically, attitudes towards people with mental health problems improved, the desire for social distance from people with mental health problems decreased, and stigma-related knowledge increased steadily. Despite these improvement in stigma-related outcomes, ‘Time to Change’ was not funded beyond March 2021. A Step Back? The Attitudes to Mental Illness survey continued to collect data allowing us to see what happened after Time to Change ended. By 2023, the results were disheartening: public attitudes to people with mental health problems had dropped to levels not seen since 2014, driven largely by declining attitudes towards community-based care. While decreases in prejudicial attitudes were maintained, there seemed to be declining faith in the suitability and efficacy of care in the community for people with mental health problems. This may be related to an actual and/or perceived reduction in accessibility of such care. Reduced access to primary care during the covid-19 pandemic may have had a knock-on effect on access to the specialist mental health teams which provide community mental health care. In addition, some such teams were disbanded during the pandemic as their staff were redeployed. Even more stark changes were seen in desire for social distance from people with mental health disorders, where levels had returned to those seen in 2009. This was largely driven by changing views in people’s willingness to live near or with someone with mental health problems. A cause for optimism, on the other hand, was that people were more likely to say they would be willing to make friends with someone with depression or schizophrenia, as well as have them as a colleague, accept them into their family and have them provide childcare. These seemingly conflicting results may arise from the different way the questions are asked. Some scales ask about attitudes towards mental health in the abstract (e.g’. Do we need to adopt a far more tolerant attitude toward people with mental illness in our society?’) and some provide descriptions about individuals with symptoms of mental illness and ask questions about them specifically (e.g. ‘Would you be willing to live next door to Stephen?’).  Asking about  people with mental illness in general is different from describing a named person with depression or schizophrenia and then asking about willingness to interact with them, as the description provides a sense of familiarity. The positive change when given this sense of familiarity is in keeping with the messaging of Time to Change’s social marketing campaign, which highlighted ways people can support someone they know who has a mental health problem. Worryingly, public knowledge of aspects of mental health also fell back to 2009 levels, driven by an increasing pessimism about the ability of people with mental health problems to access treatment and recover, and lack of knowledge about how to support someone with mental health problems. What’s Behind the Shift? Although there are some reasons for optimism, mental health stigma is on the rise after years of improvement, which is something that needs to be addressed. The Attitudes to Mental Illness survey data is collected to track changes over time, rather than explain them. However, I think there are several possible drivers of the increases in stigma we have seen since 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis in the UK could be significant contributors here, both associated with greater difficulties in access to mental health care. It is plausible that the end of England’s campaign against mental health stigma in 2021 likely played a role as well. Photo by Noah Silliman on UnSplash We predict that the aspects of stigma which worsened since 2019 might just improve if and when economic conditions and access to treatment for mental health conditions improve. It remains to be seen whether the improvements we saw over the ‘Time to Change’ campaign can be regained in the absence of a national anti-stigma programme. The impact of current initiatives such as World Schizophrenia Day is unknown but potentially important in increasing understanding of this condition, as it less common than illnesses such as depression and hence less well understood. Media coverage of topics and events related to mental illness will continue to be influential; without positive messages, for example about the ability to live a fulfilling life despite some symptoms of illnesses such as schizophrenia, coverage of episodes of violence will continue to warp public perception of this illness. A new wave of Attitudes to Mental Illness survey data will be available in 2025, allowing us to shed more light on this…watch this space.

How Working with Experts by Experience Transforms Academics' Perspectives Photo by Syed Ali on Unsplash Researchers working with “experts by experience” often talk about the benefits of this for research outputs, such as results that are more relevant for the people the research intended to help. I am a research assistant on a programme pioneering a new model for participatory research on autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Participatory research ensures people with lived experience of neurodivergence are involved in the research process. I want to highlight an often-overlooked benefit: how working with “experts by experience” in meaningful ways can shift academics’ understanding of their research practice and themselves.   RE-STAR: Pioneering a new model for participatory research RE-STAR is a research programme aiming to find new ways to reduce depression risk for ADHD and autistic adolescents, focusing on the role of school environments in neurodivergent young people’s emotional lives. This focus is important because autistic and ADHD young people are at greater risk for depression. Typically, this is framed as a deficit in neurodivergent young people - our research challenges this narrative by exploring how upsetting events at school can compound to create an “Emotional Burden” for young people. This research topic was shaped by input from our Youth Researcher Panel (Y-RP), a group of autistic and/or ADHD young adults who have been deeply involved in our study since its conception. Y-RP members do far more than just advise the academic staff , but work directly alongside us on a range of activities including assisting with data collection (e.g., through co-interviewing participants , supporting participants in EEG sessions ), analysing data, and writing papers. Writers own photo. A Y-RP member assists with EEG data collection While the impact of the Y-RP on RE-STAR's focus and activities is clear, I wanted to capture how working closely with 'experts by experience' impacts academics and how they think about the work they do. I interviewed three academics at two time points to hear their reflections on working with the Y-RP. Below, I share some common themes that emerged alongside reflections in their own words. The Learning Curve In my conversations, I found researchers at first felt uncertain about working in a new way, and this provoked anxiety .  Some were unsure how this research process would differ from their existing ideas of participatory research or if the results would be meaningful. “I was a bit sceptical in terms of, 'Okay, I know that this is going to be participatory research. I know that people have very good intentions, but how far can we move things?' ” Working in a new, collaborative way with a wider range of people required researchers to change the ways they worked and communicated. Sometimes conflict between academic and lived-experience researchers arose over mismatched expectations and unclear communication. Researchers expressed appreciation for how these conflicts pushed them to grow . When describing resolving one such conflict, a researcher explained, “What I really appreciate out of that experience was the fact that we had that honest interaction... sometimes it is also good to have those challenges because it makes you think, especially on your feet.” Generally, as the project progressed, academic researchers started feeling more confident . As one researcher stated, “Coming from a more conventional research paradigm, it took me some time to try and do things differently, in a way that feels safe for me as well. At the moment, I'm feeling more and more comfortable in working in these different ways and also working in more creative ways.” Appreciation of What Deeper Participation Means Researchers consistently expressed that their perceptions of what participatory research is had changed while working with the Y-RP. “My thinking has shifted completely because I could see how many more opportunities we can create for participants, young people, how unlimited the opportunities are and the almost emancipatory role that arts can have in that.” Writers own photo. Y-RP members present at the "Being Human" festival, sharing findings from RE-STAR's first study on emotional responding in neurodivergent young people: 'My Emotions and Me' This new appreciation of what deeper participation can mean came with an understanding that this way of working should strive to be reciprocal rather than extractive. Researchers spent a good amount of time and energy thinking about how to create positive experiences for Y-RP members, including how to incorporate upskilling and ensure feedback is taken on board. “We have been quite careful about scaffolding and sort of developing their skills so that they're getting something out of it rather than us just taking from them and using them as a resource.” Another researcher similarly reflected “[I] remind myself that we have an equal responsibility as researchers that when we ask for non-academic collaborators' feedback we really need to do something with this feedback. We really need to take action.” Ethical considerations for researchers extended into thinking about what was fair to ask of Y-RPers, with one researcher pondering, “The fact that the Y-RP researchers are not fully employed. So, this dilemma: how much we can expect from them? And, how we can involve them in ways that feel realistic? How we can have realistic expectations?” Writers own photo. Academic and Y-RP researchers meet online in the evening to co-Analyse interview data Challenging Conventions Working in a truly collaborative way challenged research conventions. One of the clearest manifestations of this in RE-STAR is around language, with researchers changing the terminology they were at one point trained to use after Y-RP input. “It's just when you're writing really quickly, you fall back into old habits. And so sometimes that's really good to be reminded and have stuff flipped back on its head.” Another researcher described how this influenced work outside of RE-STAR: “I submitted the paper before, long before I got into RE-STAR. So when I got the review back, I read my paper again, and... I made conscious decisions to change all those wordings: deficit, impairment” based on the learning they had taken from working with the Y-RP. Y-RP members also challenged “our existing theories on lots of things,” leading researchers to reframe their research practices. This included rethinking study designs through discussions with YRP members. Working with new perspectives led researchers to examine their methodologies from different angles, leading to a “more complete” picture. “And that's what we really want to see out of science, really, isn't it?” Writers own image. Slide from ITAKOM conference where Y-RP members share their perspective on the value of co-delivering interviews Personal Perspective Shifting Researchers enjoyed having the chance to learn from multiple perspectives on the project. One member reflected, “Even though it's challenging to work with so many different disciplines and personalities and even, you know, neurodivergences, that's actually what makes it stimulating.” Neurodivergent researchers found the experience of discussing and learning with neurodivergent young people to be affirming and inspiring. “It is an exciting time to be part of ...the neurodiverse population because the movement has taken off so much... and that's because of people such as those in the YRAP group; they're just amazing. They're the vehicle of the movement.” Finally, the researchers agreed the experience had a profound impact on how they think about their work. “The whole journey has been very transformative to me. I think I've been growing up, both as a researcher and a person. I can already see how differently we do things and how different our results can be. I feel that working with people, it's probably the only way to bring real change in research, real change that goes beyond academia, that can have a real impact on people's lives and young people's lives.”   Conclusion From my discussions with my colleagues, it’s clear that working collaboratively with a multitude of perspectives, experiences, and styles has a profound impact. In RE-STAR, our goal of creating a research process that goes beyond participatory invites reflection, innovation, and personal transformation. While the process can be challenging, the benefits extend beyond the project itself, shaping how academic researchers view their work and its possibilities to invoke change. For me, working on RE-STAR has expanded my conceptions of what research is and can be. While it’s important to share your findings in papers and talk to academics at conferences, the research process, alongside the relationships it builds and skills it develops, is just as valuable. You can find out more about how RE-STAR and other projects are involving young people in research at our upcoming event on Feb 21st in London - Putting Our Heads Together: Mental Health Research With and For Young People . Find out more here . You can learn more about RE-STAR through our website  or social media Insta: @restar.kcl X: ExPANDKCL

Poor mental health is widespread within the homeless community, with homeless people being nearly twice as likely to experience a mental health disorder when compared to the general population.   Concerningly, homelessness is on the rise. From 2023-2024, the number of homeless households in the UK increased by 8% to a record 320,000 households.   Working in a care home that aids in ending homelessness and rebuilding lives has been an eye-opening experience for me.   I've spent the last ten months volunteering at St. Mungo's, a nonprofit organization that helped over 28,000 people , in 2024 alone, who were homeless or in danger of becoming homeless. My role at St Mungo’s is to lead arts and crafts workshops where participants engage in painting, collaging, ornament decorating, and much more.   In this article, I aim to illustrate how a small action, like dedicating one hour a week to volunteer, can make a big difference in other people’s lives.   Benefits of Arts & Craft: Arts and crafts workshops have been incorporated into many settings such as hospitals, elderly care homes, and public health sectors.   There are two methods when incorporating arts into a healthcare setting. The first involves a trained artist who helps patients explore creative experiences such as producing art on the wall, musical performances, or group knitting. The second approach requires a trained professional using art to help patients with specific health problems that they wish to improve. This form of therapy can be implemented through poetry, dance, and drama.   The popularity of arts and crafts is based on its ability to allow an individual to explore their inner creative and aid in processing their emotions, indeed this aspect of arts and crafts has been shown to reduce anxiety symptom . Art can be utilised as a mindfulness tool , allowing individuals to relax and practice living in the present by focusing on specific tasks such as painting which can help those suffering from anxiety, trauma, and depression.   According to The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine producing art can lower cortisol levels, improve concentration, help in reflecting on emotions, aid in making decisions, and improve self-expression and communication skills.   Furthermore, art has a profound impact on the brain, as shown by a recent study that scanned people’s brains (using MRI) whilst they were shown various classical works of art. The study found a 10% increase in part of the reward circuit of the brain (specifically the medial orbital frontal cortex) which governs feelings of pleasure. In the author’s own words, this indicates that viewing beautiful art “induces a feel-good sensation direct to the brain”. Interestingly, the increase in activity was proportional to how much the individual liked the painting.   Not only does art positively impact your mental well-being but it also engages complex processes such as intuitive analysis which aids us in understanding information through recognising patterns. Through art, engaging this process improves our cognitive skills like problem-solving and thinking critically. It enhances our brain’s ability to process information effectively hence improving our memory, focus, and our ability to connect with others.   What does taking part do for individuals?  I have observed a multitude of benefits to the participants of the sessions I run. Taking part in these sessions gives the residents the chance to interact with one another on a deeper level. As we know, social interaction takes effort, especially for people who have been through intense isolation. This is particularly relevant in the homeless community because they experience social and personal relationship breakdowns and are prone to feeling more distant and lonely. So, these interactions give them the opportunity to get to know the people that surround them, whether that's the staff or others that reside in the building. These sessions bring together individuals and allow them to connect and share their stories about their favourite artists, their life experiences, and their childhoods. The simplest action of getting out of their rooms and socializing with the rest of the residents brings smiles and laughter to their day.   Moreover, taking part in creative activities brings them a sense of achievement. When I introduce a new activity, it can seem intimidating to the class, but with a little bit of encouragement, they finish the work feeling proud of what they have achieved. This is important because low self-esteem and feelings of powerlessness are very common within the homeless community so when they achieve something, in this case a piece of art, it builds their confidence and reminds them that they can still create something beautiful, despite the challenges they have faced.     An individual’s sense of identity is challenged when they become homeless. They lose their possessions, their homes, their former lives, and much of their autonomy. Art empowers homeless individuals, providing the opportunity to reconnect with their sense of self. Providing them with a blank canvas stimulates their imagination and boosts their memory skills which encourages them to think of ideas beyond their everyday routines. Making decisions as simple as the colour they’re going to use or the type of drawing they're going to produce allows them to exercise their autonomy and illustrate their personal touch.    It is also important to acknowledge the benefits of physical activity involved in art which benefits coordination, fine motor, and manual dexterity skills.     My experience as a volunteer:  Volunteering in this way has given me a chance to deepen my understanding of the different challenges the residents are facing both physically and mentally. With my sessions, I hope to help them to escape their worries, express themselves through art, and allow them to share their hard work with others. When planning the art sessions, I tailor the activities based on seasons and holidays, often revisiting the creative endeavours from my childhood. For example one of my favourite sessions involved a pumpkin decorating workshop that raised conversation about Halloween and sparked curiosity on the simplest subject of how pumpkins grow. Working alongside the staff in making the residents feel included and welcome to new and lived experiences through art has truly felt impactful.   This journey has not only been rewarding for me but also has shed light on these individuals' lives allowing them to express themselves and unlock their innate creativity.

A friend once told me that you should love yourself to the extent that you are okay with being alone. As empowering as that sounds, it simply cannot and should not be achieved. Why should I ever anticipate being alone? The world is structured in a way that a person is born into a family, and that family owes you an obligation of care and love. There are hollow days when my love for myself cannot carry me along, but it's nothing to be ashamed of because on those days I’m quickly reminded of my sister’s love for me – a good reason to get up and keep going.   Since these words were said to me, I have slowly learned that the emphasis on self-love often comes from a very privileged point of view. Recent events have reminded me how we can live in a bubble, believing that certain emotions like patriotism, want, attraction and love are cultivated solely by an inward desire. Where external validation of these emotions seemingly plays no role in these emotions. Photo by Alexander Krivitskiy  on  Unsplash Patriotism, as one expression of self-love, cannot exist without outside encouragement. “If nobody sees you, are you still here?” – This is a line from “The Death of Vivek Orji” , a book written by the Nigerian author Akwaeke Emezi. Self-love is constantly pushed in the media. Almost inescapable. Everybody is telling you how to love yourself more; how many products you must buy if you truly admire yourself; and how many solo dates you must be on. And while I am appalled by this consumerism nature, we all forget that external love is what ignites the fire of self-love.   Kemi Badenoch, the UK Conservative Party leader, recently “denied” her Nigerian heritage i n an interview with The Spectato r , “I find it interesting that everybody defines me as being Nigerian. I identify less with the country than with the specific ethnicity [Yoruba]” she said. And of course, this caused an outrage, most especially from the Nigerian vice president – Kassim Shetimma – who demanded she remove Kemi from her name if she did not feel pride in her nation of origin. I expected outrage from our crooked politicians, but not the citizens.   I do not seek to totally discard the concept of self-love but to recognise that external influences hold more important roles. We are all being sold a lie; self-love is not all we need. To love yourself immensely, you need not be the one doing all the loving.   This blinding privilege is what also gives people the effrontery to demand patriotism from Kemi Badenoch – someone who has experienced the burn of a corrupt country. I am Nigerian myself – I promise you that you cannot tell me a thing about patriotism, and I will keep an open ear. My countrymen have betrayed me so many times, and our leaders constantly embezzle public funds. How can I be patriotic, when nothing around me bolsters patriotism? Similarly, how can people love themselves if the world has not given them a reason to? Photo by  Pixabay  on Peels In the hunt for “self-love”, larger-sized people are told to hit the gym to achieve a fit body, while conventionally unattractive people are told to take “self-care” seriously so they can “love themselves”. This is the most absurd thing because when they achieve their goals, they do not magically love themselves. Rather, people just start to treat them like human beings, which makes it easy for them to love themselves. That small act of love that others start to show them is what fuels their love for themselves.   Let me ask you some questions: Can you believe you are smart without passing a single test? Can you believe you are beautiful without a single soul ever telling you you are beautiful? Can you believe you are a good friend if all your friends abandon you at some point in life? We validate each other; we are a collective; the spirit is one. This is why you see people constantly argue about representation and inclusivity – people want to be seen.   People often believe they have to attain a level of self-love before they delve into a romantic relationship. But still, they can end up self-sabotaging whenever they get into one. Esther Perel, a Belgian-American psychotherapist, in one of her blog posts titled the myth of self-love  stated “We don’t just learn to love ourselves by ourselves. It’s a classic chicken or the egg scenario: in order to love another, we must love ourselves. And in order to love ourselves, we must allow ourselves to be loved by others”. We should let others love us, even when we feel unlovable, because their version of us can be kinder than our own.   Some self-love talking points seek to isolate, but the importance of community to our health cannot be overemphasised. A meta analysis  of the effectiveness of community engagement in public health interventions for disadvantaged groups showed that community engagement interventions positively impacted a range of health outcomes across various conditions.   Anytime you tell someone, “You literally need to love yourself”, as an answer to them feeling self-critical, I want you to know that that can be false. Even after you love yourself, dissatisfaction will still loom if nobody loves you. If nobody sees you, you don’t exist. And I never want you to ignore that discontentment. I want you to surround yourself with a community that cares about you; that is the true act of self-love. In the long run, self-love will help you discern who is good for you and who is not. When that is sorted out, your community's love will nurture you. Photo by  Dio Hasbi Saniskoro  on Pexels This is not just me advising you to go outside, find love, build a community, and bask in the gift of life. This is me also telling you that the act of loving must be viewed as an obligation. It’s not only people’s duty to love themselves; it’s the duty of people around them to love them. You must love your parents, your friends, your family, those who love you. You must practice acts of small kindness, and treat even strangers with love. It’s your duty to remind your loved ones that they are talented, precious, beautiful, courageous, and many more adjectives. Human beings are social animals and are doomed to crave love and admiration, and that can never come from within.    I wish you the best on your journey to a community.

Predator, President, Policymaker. TW: this article references sexual assault, pregnancy trauma and medical trauma Donald Trump at an election night watch party (Novemeber 6th 2024) Today Donald Trump will be re-elected as the 47th U.S. President. Trump, 78, is a man accused of rape, indicted on 91 felony counts (for crimes ranging from election interference to mishandling classified documents), convicted on 34 felony counts, and is infamous for his misogynistic rhetoric. I, like many, am filled with deep concern over what his second term will mean for the safety, rights, health and mental health of women, both in and out of America. A Campaign of Misogyny Placing a man who objectifies women into one of the most powerful positions in the world risks further normalising misogyny. In the immediate aftermath of Trump’s win in November, a report found an increase in online sexist attacks, for example there was a 4600% increase in mentions of the terms “your body, my choice” and “get back in the kitchen” on X. Before this, an analysis found that Trump’s election in 2016 was associated with a statistically significant surge in reported hate crimes across the US, dubbed ‘The Trump Effect’. The authors of this second analysis suggest that this was likely due to the fact that the election had “validated this rhetoric in the eyes of perpetrators”. Trump’s campaign was rife with misogyny, gendered insults and both benevolent and hostile sexism, and was promoted by Elon Musk’s Political Action Committee (which provided over $277 million to support Trump’s 2024 election campaign). The committee ran an advert which suggested one of the most vulgar insults for women in the English language. The ad opened with “Kamala Harris is a C Word.” It eventually revealed the word to be 'communist'. Elon Musk at a campaign event (October 5th 2024) In October, Trump vowed to “protect the women… whether the women like it or not” in his second term. This benevolently sexist statement has been widely criticised for its patriarchal undertones and disregard for female autonomy. When cautioned by his aides that such statements may be deemed as “inappropriate”, Trump asked “Why? I am president…”. Such statements feel reminiscent of his notorious Access Hollywood tape where he bragged about non-consensual sexual advances, stating, "When you’re a star, you can do anything” even “Grab them by the p****”.   Research has linked sexism to higher rates of depression, PTSD, and poorer health outcomes, even without direct experience, making it an ever-present burden on women's lives. While Trump’s opinions on women remain highly controversial, his power to disseminate and politicise them has only increased following his recent election. Reproductive Health and Freedom in America Abortion care has real world implications for women and families globally. Trump’s significant role in the overturn of Roe vs Wade - which stripped women of their rights to bodily autonomy - exemplifies what is at stake. Evidence is mounting that this decision is already harming reproductive health and freedom in America. Abortion clinics are closing, necessary care is being delayed until pregnant women are facing death or permanent injuries, clinicians are fleeing total ban states leading to “maternity care deserts”, and accessing contraception is becoming more difficult. Child and maternal mortality rates are expected to rise as a result of these policy changes, with marginalised communities being disproportionately effected. While we cannot yet know the scale of the mental and physical health consequences, women are taking to social media to report harrowing experiences including doctors being unable/unwilling to remove un-expelled tissues post-miscarriage causing excruciating pain, infection and risk of death; having life-threatening haemorrhaging caused by delayed treatment; and the trauma of untreated ectopic pregnancies. Hearing of the trauma of these women, you can’t help but think of the women who are no longer here to tell their stories. These tragic and preventable deaths will leave partners widowed, and children without mothers. Given all of this, it is unsurprising that a 2024 study found that abortion restrictions in the US had had broad negative impacts on mental health, particularly for those of lower education and income. The fallout of these policies will not be limited to America. In 2017, Trump instigated a ‘global gag rule’, restricting international NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations) from receiving U.S. funds for abortion related healthcare. This caused a $32 billion loss of funding for global health aid and resulted in an estimated 108,000 maternal deaths and child deaths and 360,000 HIV infections worldwide. There is fear Trump will once again reinstate and expand this policy in his second presidency leading to more untreated and traumatised women worldwide. RFK Jr. speaks at Bitcoin 2024 (July 26th 2024) A Controversial Inner Circle Trump has nominated controversial individuals, key players, and supporters of Project 2025 (a right-wing, Gillead-esque wish list for Trump’s presidency) for his second administration, and proposed skipping the typical FBI background checks faced by cabinet position nominees. Trump’s choice of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health Secretary, despite his lack of medical expertise and scepticism of scientific consensus, has raised widespread concern. During the penultimate rally of his campaign, Trump stated that he would give Kennedy Jr. free reign over health policy and let him "do what he wants". Historically, Kennedy Jr. has supported abortion rights, but his recent statements have suggested a shift as he has vowed to carry out conservative goals of reversing the Biden administration’s abortion policies and to reinstate pro-life policies. Thus, Kennedy's nomination brings greater uncertainty to the future of women's physical and mental health. Photo from the 'People's March' (January 18th 2025) Progress is not inevitable It is dangerous and naïve to tell ourselves that Trump’s damaging ‘ramblings’ are those of one ailing man, as he will soon wield the resources of a global superpower. As history has shown us before, hate and fear perpetuate one another with catastrophic consequences. It is essential to acknowledge that Trump's presidency will have an intersectional impact on women, as his policies and rhetoric will disproportionately harm women who also face discrimination based on race, class, immigration status, or other marginalized identities.

The unexpected effects of alcohol withdrawal Disclaimer: This article offers an in-depth, personal perspective on experiences with alcohol dependence and withdrawal symptoms. If you or someone you know is facing similar challenges, please seek professional medical support. Sam Thomas is a writer, campaigner and public speaker. You can find him on social media and read more of his work here: https://linktr.ee/samthomas8186   Sam Thomas My name is Sam Thomas, and I have a gecko, a baby chameleon, four tarantulas, a “therapy” scorpion, and I am a recovering alcoholic. As it happens, at 39 years of age, I am in recovery from many things, including bulimia, OCD and Complex PTSD - the latter being the fuel to the fire for my unhealthy coping strategies over the years. I have previously published  on Inspire The Mind, and in this article, I would like to share with you a bit more about my journey to recovery.    The first hallucination hits you the hardest because you are really not expecting it. Forty-eight hours in, the worst of the physical symptoms peak: the shakes, fever, nausea and general feeling of malaise. At first, you may think you have some weird tropical disease or alien virus that makes you feel physically sick and lose the plot at the same time - it feels utterly surreal.   SMOKING KILLS. Unlike cigarette packets, which are legally obliged to warn you of the dangers on the label in the UK, we are left to our own devices with alcohol. Of course, it’s common knowledge that booze is bad for you. To be fair, nearly everything is bad for us if we indulge in it excessively. But how many people know that suddenly stopping drinking could be potentially lethal if you drink every day?   How it began... It often surprises people when I tell them that I didn't start drinking until I was 24.    I attempted to drink twice when I was eighteen, but I quickly realised that I disliked it, so I chose to abstain from alcohol completely. However, my perspective changed when my best friend at the time thought it would be amusing to mix vodka into my diet coke without my knowledge. Following that incident, I started drinking on a regular basis, and within a year, I found myself consuming two or three glasses of wine every evening while working from home. By the time I turned 27, this habit had gradually escalated to two or three bottles.   When I reached thirty, I was aware that my drinking had become excessive, but I was in total denial about any impact it might be having. My only concern was that I had fallen out of the habit of going to the gym. As the managing director of a charity I have founded, “ Men Get Eating Disorders Too! ,” I appeared to be "functioning" albeit dysfunctional - which in retrospect was probably one of the early signs of my alcoholism. In the absence of any visible outward signs that my drinking was "overspilling," why would I be any the wiser? Sam Thomas The first episode… The first time any indication that my drinking had caught up with me came 36 hours after I had decided to stop, with the intention of getting back to the gym. While in London on an extremely hot day in July 2016, I couldn't ignore how awful I was feeling. I was sweltering, with sweat dripping off me as I travelled to my destination on the underground. As I stood up to get off the train at Edgware Road tube station, I noticed that my body wasn't doing what I was telling it to, and my reactions were slowed down. This was the first sign that I knew something was wrong. It was as if there was a disconnect between my brain, body, and ability to move - almost like an out-of-body experience. Clambering off the train, I somehow made it to street level and the exit.   My anxiety was through the roof and, in total panic, I found sanctuary in a coffee shop opposite the station. At this point, I tried to hold the glass of water to my mouth to drink it, but I kept spilling the water on myself. A lady sitting at the table opposite was looking at me curiously. "Do you need help? You look like you're in trouble?" she said, after a short while. She introduced herself and it turned out she was an off-duty nurse from St Mary's Hospital. "Do you know what's wrong with you?" she asked. "No," was my short but breathless reply. All I could think of was that I may be having a reaction to something, but I wasn't allergic to anything. The next minute I passed out, and then I was in an ambulance arriving at the hospital.   The realisation… Unfortunately, it would take until the third subsequent hospital visit in November 2016 that it was confirmed my previous episodes of illness were serious alcohol withdrawal . "You're over the threshold," were the words of the specialist medic from the local drug and alcohol service. "You need to be referred for a detox, possibly as an inpatient given the severity of your withdrawals," he continued. Until now, it hadn't even occurred to me that drinking was causing me to be ill - more specifically, cutting back on my drinking too quickly or stopping drinking abruptly (e.g. going "cold turkey"). "It's really important that you continue to keep drinking to prevent any further episodes," he stressed, which, at first seemed like confusing medical advice. Admittedly, it took me a while to get my head around this, not realising that my nervous system would go into shock (i.e. alcohol withdrawal) if I went for more than a day without drinking.   The worst of my symptoms were severe hallucinations (sometimes known as "delirium tremens"). They got worse the more I relapsed after repeated detoxes, and my symptoms were exacerbated by malnutrition. Typically, the hallucinations would be of spiders and crab-like creatures that I could physically feel crawling all over me. These episodes were terrifying, but I couldn’t recall how long they would last. In November 2019, I experienced my last hallucination involving bats, which incidentally was during the COVID-19 outbreak. It would prompt my fourth and hopefully final detox, a few months before the pandemic. You’re not alone… There will be many people like myself who are “over the threshold”  and may be suffering in silence. They may have unexplained symptoms after a few days of abstaining. Or they may have caved in and gone back to drinking, not knowing why. Upon reflection, if I had known about the brutal reality of alcoholism sooner, I would have managed to embrace recovery sooner too. Now, over five years sober, I want to share my story so that others realise they are not alone. If I've learned anything, it's that addiction thrives on isolation and secrecy, which is all the more reason we need to talk about it without shame. With many more sober years ahead of me, I've concluded that recovery has to be more compelling than the addiction ever was.   If you are concerned about your own drinking, it is vital you speak with a GP and follow medical advice. You can also self-refer to your local drug and alcohol use service, or NHS offers prevention programmes such as the Alcohol Dependency Programme . For me, it began with referring myself to Change Grow Live , and undergoing trauma therapy - you can find recovery, too.  Photo by Sam Thomas picturing Gran Canaria beach

Key takeaways from organising a science communication workshop series When we think about research, we often imagine a clean laboratory with people in white coats who work with fancy equipment. While some research might actually look like this, research in the field of mental health is sometimes harder to picture and more complicated to explain. There are many ways we can collect information and engage with the topic we are studying, and we are continuously trying to improve the ways in which we conduct our research and report what we have found. I myself am a postdoctoral researcher (which is what we call researchers after completing their PhD) for the EDIFY project ( EDIFY - shaping a fresh approach to eating disorders ), one of the seven research programmes that are currently funded by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) ‘Adolescents Mental Health and Developing Mind’ initiative. This means the UKRI is financially supporting our research project, so that we can look into different ways of improving the lives of young people, in our case specifically young people with eating disorders. Across the different projects funded by this initiative, we have a vast amount of expertise spanning areas of digital mental health, adverse childhood experiences, and neurodivergence. To get the most out of our combined expertise, the UKRI decided to provide additional funding for smaller projects that would help us build connections and share knowledge across the programmes. As a result, four groups of postdoctoral researchers were granted the opportunity to organise a variety of events to build a sense of community amongst Early Career Researchers (ECRs, including postdoctoral researchers, research assistants, and PhD students) and the young people who work with the project teams as experts by experience (youth advisors). This new series is one of the outcomes of a project organised by EDIFY ECRs to develop researchers’ and youth advisors’ skills in ‘science communication’ - the ways in which we engage with, discuss, and share our research with other researchers, the media, and relevant audiences. As part of our events, we organised a two-day London-based science communication workshop, as well as an online showcase to reflect on how best to communicate research experiences and outcomes to different audiences. This was achieved through research-focused media training provided by HawkEye Media in London, guided group discussions, networking activities (Bingo and speed networking), and many opportunities to share knowledge and experiences. Taking our science communication to the next step, we are now excited to share what we have learned with a wider audience to shed more light on our research practices and the lessons learnt. In the following weeks, this series will provide interesting insights into the ways our researchers and youth advisors experience the research process, including challenges and opportunities we have encountered - all from the perspective of those still finding their feet in the research world. As the main organiser of the science communication events, I wanted to kick off the series by reflecting on three key learnings that I am taking away from planning a project series where I was both the lead organiser and the target audience. Event organisation might not be the first thing one thinks of when picturing the tasks of a researcher, but more often than not it is a skill we have to learn to bring people together for training, data collection, or conferences. Events should always benefit the people you consider your “target audience” This first point might be an obvious one, but sometimes the costs of attending an event (not just financially) can outweigh the benefits of what is being offered. For example, to attend an event some people will need to travel, they might need to make up the time they spent at the event, or they might need to plan around other responsibilities. Equally, if attending the event is associated with many additional commitments (additional work), people might experience the event as more of a burden than a benefit. This is the reason why we wanted to organise a variety of activities, including training that did not require any preparation and would be both fun and useful to attend. We also organised our second “showcase” event online, to give people who cannot or do not want to travel an opportunity to participate. Most importantly, we financially supported travel and accommodation costs and made sure to adequately compensate youth advisors for their time. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, however! Although we received primarily positive feedback, some of our attendees would have preferred fewer interactive activities. If you are organising an event, think about your main goals, not just in terms of visible outcomes, but also the overall experience. You will never make everyone happy, but that should be the goal you are striving for! Communication is key – be creative! To organise our events, I had to send many emails. I almost felt like apologising every time I sent another reminder. However, it is important to communicate all relevant details to all interested parties. This does not only involve key details about the event (the “W questions” – who, where, when, why), but also visuals on how to find the event location, summary reports, thank you emails, and updates on future events and opportunities. I personally loved using software like Canva to help with this and used it as much as I could to create pretty posters, flyers, and reports. I find that it just helps with getting your message across, especially if you organise a science communication event. Whatever you are trying to achieve, if your audience does not receive the information they need, people will either not attend or miss out on important learnings. Ask for help, especially from others with more expertise and wider networks Organising a series of events was a challenge for our ECR team, as we had to balance our usual work responsibilities with time-consuming additional tasks (the emails alone were a full-time job!). We could have never done this without some help from our project leads (the “more senior” academics) and we distributed tasks whenever possible. Realistically, there will always need to be one person in charge who oversees the events and makes sure that all bases are covered (catering, travel, advertisements, planning content, communications, etc.). However, to grow we first need to learn and be able to make some mistakes, and that requires us to reach out when we struggle or when we could benefit from additional support. At the same time, people often don’t expect you to do everything – our showcase consisted mostly of attendees presenting their own science communication strategies. Recognising everyone’s expertise (including ECRs’ and youth advisors’) means that you can truly learn from each other. I am very grateful to be part of an academic community that is moving towards more collaborative working and acknowledges that we need to first build the expertise that we expect to see in research outputs. For this reason, I am looking forward to all the inspiring and instructive articles that will follow this introductory piece. This series is meant to celebrate ideas and reflections on research processes while we are building our community and move towards better research practices.

Lily sat down in front of the TV one day after school, completely unaware that what she was about to see would change her life. Her day was the same as any other. She had done some schoolwork with her mum and struggled with sums, and her mum made her feel worse by suggesting that her last lesson of the day be a chance for her to ‘learn to tackle her anxiety.’ Lily knew her mum meant well even then - she'd pulled her out of school to homeschool her after her anxiety meant she was failing and falling behind in a lot of her lessons- but it didn't stop her from feeling awful. It usually meant going to a shop or supermarket full of people, and then getting her favourite chocolate bar or toy, but then only being allowed to have it if Lily went up to the person behind the till and bought it herself, even though she wasn't even the one paying for it. By the time she reached the front of the queue, she'd not only be shaking, but her hands were so soaked with sweat that she almost dropped the cash as she handed it over to the - always kind and smiling, no matter what - staff member behind the till. It might have seemed like an overreaction to other people, but they didn’t get it. The truth is, no one understood - not the nice lady behind the till, or even her mum - just how scared she felt, every day. That is, until Lily sat down in front of the TV after getting back from the shop, her heart racing, and sat and watched the very first episode of Skylar Flight. It was a brand-new show aimed at young adults, but her mum didn’t say anything about the kid’s channel not being on the screen, with its bright hues and silly songs, so Lily didn’t say anything either - not that she would, because as soon as the show started, her eyes were glued to the TV screen. Photo by Nothing Ahead Skyler Flight was like nothing Lily had ever seen before. Unlike the cheerful, bright, and short shows she’d seen on the kids’ channels before this, Skyler’s Flight was something altogether different - it was darker, much longer, and at points, Skyler and her flight crew faced death multiple times, even in the pilot episode. As soon as the episode ended, with Skyler and her crew successfully defeating the alien threat and staying on their course to the planet they were assigned to visit, it was only when the credits rolled when Lily realised that she was holding her breath. ‘Tea’s nearly ready. You okay, Lil?’ her mum called out, making Lily jump. Lily paused for a moment, instead of automatically answering yes, like she normally would. Her automatic instinct was always to lie, because most of the time she felt far from fine – she typically felt, scared, or full of anxiety. But while Lily did feel anxious during parts of the show she just watched - usually when the characters like Skylar were in trouble, now, when it was all over, she felt far from anxious. She felt her heart settle in her chest, full of something light, and brighter than anything she had felt in a while. She felt… happy. And excited for the next episode, which according to her TV Guide, was next week at the exact same time. She couldn’t wait. ‘I’m great,’ Lily said, and for the first time in a long time, she was telling the truth. * A few months later, Lily eagerly sat down on her sofa in anticipation to watch the series finale of Skyler’s Flight. It had been a wild series so far, with Skyler and her crew nearly dying, their ship nearly crashing, and they even had an episode where everyone was cursed by an alien emperor to not stop singing until they met their demands (which, thankfully, they did). At first, Lily’s mum wasn’t the happiest about her watching such a grown up show at thirteen, but when Lily was able to go up to a shop counter and buy a Skyler’s Flight sticker book without complaining - and without even feeling all that anxious, because she was so excited about adding to her SF collection - Lily’s mum changed her mind, and after watching a few episodes with Lily, she even seemed to like it. Not that Lily was all that surprised - it was the best show ever. In the entire universe, even. Lily had  learned over the past few weeks that she wasn’t alone in that thought either. Far from it. One day, during one of her IT lessons, when she was allowed to spend time on her laptop, Lily realised that there was a group of people like her on Facebook who loved the show. The fans called themselves ‘Sky Fliers’ in honour of the name of the show, and there was a fan group of nearly 10,000 of them who talked about the show every day. While her mum wasn’t the biggest fan of her joining the group, after a few days of pleading, her mum agreed to join the group first to see if it was appropriate, and then after a week, allowed Lily to join as well. And from there, if Lily wasn’t already obsessed with Skyler’s Flight , it would become the first thing she thought about in the morning, and the last thing she thought about at night. It was strange, since she usually felt anxiety - and while it was still there - the feeling of happiness that Skyler’s Flight, and watching, reading, and writing about it - was much bigger, and stronger, than the anxiety that she used to feel. It was as if the happiness was so strong that it could fight off the anxiety, or at least keep it at bay, just like Skyler was able to do with the hostages on the spaceship, with her blaster ray. The fact that she was able to get her mum to love it made Lily even happier. They talked about each episode for hours after it aired, and her mum almost seemed to be as big of a fan of the show as her. Almost. But Lily did find it strange that when the final episode finished, with Skylar and her crew successfully surviving the visit to their assigned planet and finally on course to go home, Lily couldn’t stop the tears flowing as the credits rolled, whereas her mum remained strangely dry-eyed. Especially as her mum was the type of person to cry at TV adverts - but the best episode of TV just aired, and her mum didn’t shed a single tear? Despite the rollercoaster of emotions coursing through her, Lily couldn’t help but also feel a little suspicious. ‘Oh, Lil,’ her mum said, after the credits were over. ‘You really love that show, don’t you?’ Lily nodded; her throat still tight from the crying. Lily’s mum’s mouth twitched slightly, as if she was trying not to smile. ‘Well then, to celebrate the last episode, how about you go and meet Skyler herself?’ Lily froze in place as her mum excitedly pulled out tickets to a nearby Comic Con event where the actress who played Skyler, Elle Aston , was appearing. ‘We’re even going to get a photo with her!’ Lily’s mum said, just before Lily pulled her into the tightest hug ever. ‘Woah - I take it that you can’t wait, then?’ Lily nodded into her mum’s shoulder, making her shirt wet because she was crying again - but now for completely different reasons. * But on the day of the Comic Con event, Lily couldn’t shake the feeling that she was about to throw up. Or pass out. Or both. Whereas the show usually helped with her anxiety, now it was all she could feel, buzzing across her like she was stuck in a constant earthquake. She was starting to regret dressing - or cosplaying - as Skyler, or at least Skyler from an episode where she wasn't at least wearing her OxySafety Helmet, so everyone wouldn't be staring at her - or at least they'd be staring at the helmet, instead. But even still, as she walked through the packed convention hall, her mum by her side, she felt like everyone she passed couldn't keep their eyes off her - as if she was strange, weird, and different. Lily's chest tightened, and she tried to focus on moving one foot in front of the other, moving with small steps so she wouldn't faint. ‘Hey, Commander!’ A voice called out behind her. Lily turned to see a girl around her age dressed as Officer Wilkes from Skyler's Flight. She was smiling kindly, before snapping to attention like a soldier and giving her a confident salute. Even with Lily's anxiety, the girl recognised Skyler - almost as if it didn't matter one bit, because Lily was a fan of the show, too. Just that thought flooded her with happiness. Lily returned the salute quickly, as if she truly was Skyler, and the girl opposite her, dressed almost exactly as Officer Wilkes, smiled. ‘Your costume is great!’ The girl said, as if she truly meant it. ‘Thanks!’ Lily said - absolutely delighted, both at the interaction and at the fact that in that moment, it was as if her anxiety had been washed away. To Lily's delight, similar instances to this happened throughout the day. She found herself being complimented by various people dressed as characters from Skyler’s Flight, and even people dressed as characters from other shows and films. She even had someone who was dressed as a Bluurq, one of the aliens the crew fought in episode 5, hand her a sticker and pin they'd drawn and made of Skyler's ship. Lily held the sticker and pin close to her chest as she queued to get a photo with Elle Aston, the actress who played Skyler. With a small smile, Lily’s mom offered to help her secure the pin to her chest. It was strange, Lily thought, as she looked at it glinting against the fabric of her handmade costume; instead of the typical anxiety she usually felt, all she could feel was happiness, and excitement. She was here, part of something bigger than herself, part of something fun , even when feeling anxious, she wasn't alone. Just then, Lily felt her mum squeezed her hand - they were at the front of the queue. The Skyler, Elle Aston, was smiling and waving in her direction. Lily couldn't quite believe it, she felt as if she was floating on air as she walked towards her with her mum by her side. ‘Hi!’ Elle said, with a bright white and genuinely smile. ‘You look great - just like Skylar!’ The photographers and others that were scattered around the room all agreed and said how much they loved Lily's costume. ‘Thanks,’ Lily said quietly, suddenly very aware of how she was standing. ‘I really love the show.’ ‘Thank you! I love being a part of it.’ Elle said, her smile growing even wider. ‘What's your name, darling?’ ‘Lily,’ she said, feeling a blush spread across her face. ‘And this is my mum, Anna.’ ‘Well, hello!’ Elle said, as her mum beamed. ‘It's great to meet you both - especially you, Lily.’ ‘Thank you - I really love Skyler's Flight ,’ Lily said. ‘It means a lot to her, and us,’ her mum added. Elle reached out and squeezed Lily's hand. ‘Well thank you! It means a lot that the work I do can touch other people. And it means a lot that you've braved the crowds to come and see me today. I should be saying thank you!’ Her words made Lily feel like she was about to fly away, straight up to the ceiling with joy; that feeling of being seen, and appreciated, it was like she'd just finished fighting an alien at the end of a Skyler's Flight episode and survived. Elle then ushered Lily and her mum to stand closer to her and placed her hands on Lily's shoulders to keep her grounded as they smiled towards the camera. With the warmth of her hands steadying her, the shyness and anxiety she felt faded away, like before. Lily felt as if she could do anything. * ‘What do you think, love?’ Her mum said, when they went to pick up the photo. Lily stared at it, her hands shaking. The three of them looked so happy - if Lily didn't know, she wouldn't have sensed any anxiety in her. She looked confident, and especially when dressed as Skyler - Lily really did look like a different person. Someone who'd never been anxious in their life. And if today had taught her anything, Lily thought, even when she was anxious, if she could meet the real Skyler and go to this event and meet so many kind people without wanting to run straight back home… and y'know what? Lily realised - if Skyler can fight aliens weekly, and Ellen can meet all those people in one day, maybe she could  do anything, anxiety and all. ‘I love it,’ Lily said. And she really meant it.