Youth LIVES gives young people from across the UK the opportunity to work with experts to influence mental health research and to shape youth-led priorities for research at the national level. This project is run in collaboration with the University of York and the Mental Health Foundation.
Nicola Smith, Derby & Derbyshire ICB
At the beginning of the project, we recruited a diverse group of young people to become ‘citizen researchers.’ Over the course of a year, the citizen researchers take part in a series of virtual Q&A events with experts to gain knowledge and insights into what is currently happening in the field. These events are mainly shaped by the interests of the citizen researchers. After a taking part in these discussions, they become part of Youth Research Teams working with the University of York to address the topics that matter to young people and to determine priorities for new research.
The citizen researchers take part in discussions with the aim to:
Collaborate with experts to understand and explore the priorities for mental health research around young people
Address gaps in research around young people’s mental health through investigating new topics and issues in collaboration with peers
Directly shape questions for research to provide answers for most urgent and neglected areas of young people’s mental health
Scientific mental health research does not often centre or include the voices of young people. In response to this, Youth LIVES gives young people the opportunity to ask key questions and explore what is currently happening in the field of research around young people’s mental health. Through conversations with experts, young people have the chance to increase their knowledge and awareness of the practical steps they can take to undertake mental health research. With this knowledge they are also better able and equipped to understand their own mental health and that of others.
Get Involved
To find out more about this work, please get in touch with folade@leaders-unlocked.org
If you’re interested in getting involved with the work we do at Leaders Unlocked, please do send us a message via our contact us page. We are always keen to hear from young people who may want to take part in our projects, as well as professionals who may want to collaborate.
More than 65% of our
staff came from Leaders Unlocked projects
"The reason I got involved is because I have lived experience of a range of mental health issues. I got the opportunity to get involved, and it was a big deal to get out of the house, but I did it - three years later I have a career in mental health.”
Zara