U-Belong student researcher Finty engages with her experiences as a neurodiverse student at university with Faith Ross, a Specialist Mental Health/Autism Mentor and a PhD Student at King's College London. Faith’s research explores a strength-based approach to supporting neurodivergent students. The two discuss the importance of recognising and valuing neurodiversity and explore strategies for creating inclusive and supportive spaces where every student can thrive. This episode aims to inspire a more accepting and accommodating university culture that celebrates all forms of cognitive dive ..read more

Tune in to hear from U-Belong student researcher Euan in conversation with Dominic Smithies, Head of Influencing and Communications​​ at Student Minds (the UK's student mental health charity). Euan and Dom discuss the impact of the cost of living crisis on the student population, focusing on the isolating effects of socioeconomic positionality.  Dom highlights how Student Minds’ ‘Student Space’ provides support for students struggling with impacts of the crisis. In addition, the charity Shelter provides support for students struggling with the housing crisis, specifically. Head to our Li ..read more

Tune in to hear from U-Belong student researcher Max talking to Christian Jameson-Warren and Anna Glaze-Krayer, Career Advisers from the University of Nottingham. They explore career pathways in mental health, addressing the diverse career paths post-graduation and the evolving job market with insight from the student and professional perspective and highlighting the book 'Stumbling on Happiness' by Daniel Gilbert, in supporting the transition from student to professional.  (Views expressed by individuals are their own and don't necessarily represent those of U-Belong, All Things Mental H ..read more

U-Belong student researcher Jasmine is in conversation with Dr Rebecca Upsher, a Lecturer in Psychology (Education) in the Department of Psychology at King's College London. The two discuss curriculum-based interventions and how pedagogy can improve student wellbeing and promote a better sense of belonging at university.  (Views expressed by individuals are their own and don't necessarily represent those of U-Belong, All Things Mental Health, and King's College London). Thanks for listening ..read more

Tune in to hear from U-Belong student researcher Jess in conversation with clinical psychologist Dr Anton Barnwell. Jess and Anton explore mental health realities at university, including self-help, coping mechanisms, and the importance of seeking support.  (Views expressed by individuals are their own and don't necessarily represent those of U-Belong, All Things Mental Health, and King's College London). We hope you enjoy listening! Head to https://linktr.ee/ATMH for additional content and our Instagram @allthings.mentalhealth! Thanks for listening ..read more

Welcome to the Building Belonging at University podcast series, a collaboration between All Things Mental Health, the U-Belong Research Project, and King's College London. This series explores student mental health in higher education and forms a part of the U-Belong research project. This interdisciplinary project aims to understand university social life, focusing on student belonging and loneliness.  In our introduction episode, Aneeska Sohal (Founder and Project Manager) and Anna Bailie (Researcher in Residence) from All Things Mental Health, Dr Hannah Slack (Quantitative Research As ..read more

Our final episode comes from International students, Bertha and Oluwa who speak about their experiences of moving to the U.K. to study abroad. Each student faces different challenges but unite in the rewards they have experienced. They explore how their identities interact with their everyday experiences. Change is a constant thread throughout this episode, exploring the fear of the unknown and adapting to a new system. They conclude this series by pointing to ways in which Universities can better support International students as soon as they start to transition from home to the U.K., through ..read more

Michelle and Evangel explore the unique challenges they have faced as Black students navigating imposter syndrome and leadership. Michelle speaks about her expectations to be the ‘spokesperson’ for the Black student community, and the pressures involved in her leadership role. This narrative is supported by our co-host, Evangel, who explores her experience of imposter syndrome at University, and the specific challenges she navigated as a Black student. Through their conversation, the two explore the ways in which imposter syndrome can empower leaders to bring different voices and new perspecti ..read more

In this episode, Taj and Shannel explore what intersectionality means to them as Black students in relation to their own lived experience. Taj, who is a part of the LGBTQ+ community, and Shannel who is a part of a faith community. Tune in to hear them discuss how they navigate intersectionality and the importance of finding community. They share how they feel seen and heard at university and where this could be better, exploring how universities can be more inclusive spaces for intersectional identities.  Intersectionality refers to the concept that an individual's social identities, suc ..read more

Eunice and Daniel explore what family means to them in relation to their own lived experience as a Black student. They explore family expectations, female roles and masculinity, and how family has interfaced with their experience as students. Tune in to hear more about mental health stigma at home, generational trauma, traditional gendered expectations, along with the pivotal role family can have in helping students define the importance of community, and learning the essence of responsibility, resilience and strength. This episode speaks to the perspectives of university students from an Afri ..read more