Students’ Mental Health: Designing Support Through Co-Creation. A Practice Report

Anna Lise Gordon; Marta Ortega Vega; Nikki Anghileri; Jonathan Nassar; Olivia Scott; Katharina Stegmann; Patricia A. Zunszain

doi:10.5204/ssj.3653

Students’ Mental Health: Designing Support Through Co-Creation. A Practice Report

Anna Lise Gordon
, Marta Ortega Vega
, Nikki Anghileri
, Jonathan Nassar
, Olivia Scott
, Katharina Stegmann
, Patricia A. Zunszain

St Mary’s University
SLaM South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
King's College London

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Students who are first-in-family to attend university, and those who are otherwise without family support, are reported to be at increased risk of social isolation, poor mental health and non-continuation through transition points in their higher education journeys. Three London-based universities and a specialist National Health Service mental health provider combined expertise for a two-year project aimed at designing, delivering and evaluating a package of psychoeducation interventions. Co-created and co-designed with students, the project provided innovative transition support including accessible face-to-face workshops, drop-in sessions and an online resource package to maximise flexibility for students. The project combined education and health expertise to strengthen and protect mental health of students who are particularly vulnerable to the stressors that arise at the frequent transition points in a university career. Key outcomes focus on the importance of co-creation, flexibility and collaboration between education and healthcare providers to meet the growing needs of students.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	107-114
Number of pages	8
Journal	Student Success
Volume	16
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.5204/ssj.3653
Publication status	Published - 4 Mar 2025

Keywords

co-creation
psychoeducation
Student mental health
transitions

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10.5204/ssj.3653

Cite this

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abstract = "Students who are first-in-family to attend university, and those who are otherwise without family support, are reported to be at increased risk of social isolation, poor mental health and non-continuation through transition points in their higher education journeys. Three London-based universities and a specialist National Health Service mental health provider combined expertise for a two-year project aimed at designing, delivering and evaluating a package of psychoeducation interventions. Co-created and co-designed with students, the project provided innovative transition support including accessible face-to-face workshops, drop-in sessions and an online resource package to maximise flexibility for students. The project combined education and health expertise to strengthen and protect mental health of students who are particularly vulnerable to the stressors that arise at the frequent transition points in a university career. Key outcomes focus on the importance of co-creation, flexibility and collaboration between education and healthcare providers to meet the growing needs of students.",

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AU - Stegmann, Katharina

AU - Zunszain, Patricia A.

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Students’ Mental Health: Designing Support Through Co-Creation. A Practice Report

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Keywords

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