What’s the project?
This project aims to break down barriers and make it easier for young people to talk openly about online behaviour with mental health professionals. Researchers at the University of Bristol want to generate helpful resources for mental health professionals through co-creation with young people, to aid these discussions. This is how the team plan to do it:
- Find out what mental health professionals would like to know about how young people use and experience digital technology.
- Bring together a diverse group of young people to discuss resources that will help mental health professionals.
- Work together with young people to create the resources, giving mental health professionals the knowledge they need.
The research team want to make sure that young people’s voices are heard, and that mental health professionals have the tools they need to support young people in the digital world.
Find out more
The team are looking for 8-10 young people to join our project! They will need creative thinking and ideas to help make a difference. The group meetings will take place online, so you can participate from the comfort of your own space.
Here’s what you will expect to be doing together with the researchers: This project will be running until May 2024, and although the team will try to be flexible to your commitments, they hope you will join them for around 7 online meetings where you will discuss ways to improve communication between mental health professionals and young people regarding online behaviour. The team will provide research insights, and then take your lead on the shaping and creation of training and resources that will be used by these professionals.
The research team want you to bring your unique perspectives and talents to the table. If you’re passionate about acting, voiceovers, editing, art, poetry, animation or any other creative skill, there may be opportunities for you to contribute to the development of the resources in those areas. There will also be efforts made to make sure that everyone feels included and comfortable participating, so if you can’t attend the online meetings or would prefer to contribute in other ways, there can be alternative ways to include you.
- Young people who want to take part in this study can be based anywhere in the UK.
- Young people must have mental health lived or living experience, and have accessed online content relating to this (which may have been helpful or unhelpful).
- Young people must be aged between 14 and 24 years of age.
- Young people should have a stable internet connection.
- Young people should have a reasonable ability to understand and speak English.
Young people’s involvement in this project is highly valued, and the research team want to ensure that you are supported and recognised for your contributions. Here’s what will be provided:
Payment: You will receive £25 in vouchers for every hour of attendance to the online group, and during resource creation sessions. You will also receive £15 in vouchers for every hour of additional involvement (e.g., commenting on documents), outside of attending the group. The team believe that your time and effort deserve recognition, and these vouchers will be our way of reimbursing you for your contributions.
Support: Throughout the project, the team will provide a supportive and inclusive environment. They understand that discussing topics like mental health can sometimes be challenging, and they want to ensure that you feel comfortable and safe. The team will be available to address any concerns or questions you may have along the way.
Networking: Participating in this project will give you the opportunity to connect with like-minded young people who are passionate about mental health and digital technology. Building these connections can lead to meaningful friendships and collaborations that may extend beyond the project itself.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete our expression of interest form here: https://meded.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/digital-dialogues-expression-of-interest
You are welcome to send your responses in audio or video format if preferred! If you need any help completing your expression of interest, you can get in touch at [email protected]
9am on Monday 9th October 2023
Please note that the McPin Foundation regularly promotes opportunities on behalf of other institutions; we are not responsible for the continuation or contents of further correspondence with any project partners where we are not listed as the project main point of contact.
