e-wellbeing Youth Research Projects
Welcome to our Youth Research Hub!
Here at e-wellbeing, we are passionate about youth wellbeing, and we put young people at the forefront of mental health research with our Youth Research Projects!
We've teamed up with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR ARC KSS), West Sussex Mind, YMCA Dialogue, and West Sussex County Council to develop our youth research projects. These projects are led by young people, and address issues that young people feel are important for improving youth wellbeing.Ā
Scroll down to learn more!
So, how do the projects work?
By taking part in our youth-led research projects, young people can:
š” Get academic research training for young people, provided by Make (Good) Trouble and other professionals
š Create research projects about mental health issues they are passionate about and can make a real difference to youth wellbeing
š£ļø Be given the chance to use their research training skills to deliver training to other young people during later project cycles
What have the Youth Researchers been working on so far?
Throughout 2024, e-wellbeing Youth Researchers have been working across Sussex to conduct research projects focused on youth mental health and how young peopleās experiences can be improved. As part of the research projects, Youth Researchers attended the āImproving Lives Together: Young Peopleās Annual Conversation with NHS Sussex (Mar 2025) to consult with other industry professionals and share suggestions for how to better support young people through mental health services.
Click the links below to find out more!
ARC KSS - Belonging & Loneliness
Youth Researchers explore the impact of belonging and loneliness on young people's wellbeing, as well as barriers they face when accessing mental health care.
Self-Harm Learning Network
In partnership with West Sussex Mind, Youth Researchers explore young people's experiences of using online resources to get support for self-harm.
Thought-Full - Barriers to Accessing Support
Youth Researchers investigate how young people from global majority groups in West Sussex experience accessing mental health support in school.
COMING SOON
What have we learnt from the Youth Research projects so far?
COMING SOON!
Future Project Ideas: What do Youth Researchers want to do next?
Based on results from the projects so far, as well as consultations from YMCA DownsLink Group Youth Ambassadors and participants at the Young Peopleās Annual Conversation with NHS Sussex, the researchers have narrowed down five ideas for potential research projects that could take place if funding was provided.
Read more about the research project ideas below, or click here for the full details.
Topic 1: Mental Health and Neurodivergence
- What are the main barriers to help-seeking for mental health issues related to neurodivergence?
- What facts can we gather about these barriers and what can be done to overcome them?
Topic 2: Support Service Waiting Lists
- What are the current waiting times for local services and what impact is this having on those waiting for support?
- Are there ways waiting times can be reduced? If so, how?
- What can be done to support young people while they are on these waiting lists?
Topic 3: Support in Schools
- What do young people and families/carers want support with?
- What are the current ways to access support in schools? What training do teachers receive already?
- What can teachers tell us about the challenges of providing what young people want/need?
- How can young people be involved in adapting school-based support/school policies?
Topic 4: Accessibility of Information/Support
- Where do young people currently get info and support?
- Is existing information adequate? Is it accessible?
- What formats/platforms do young people prefer, and what are the pros and cons of each?
Topic 5: Relationships between young people and relevant adults
- What makes a good quality relationship, according to young people, families/carers, teachers, etc?
- What could be a barrier to building/maintaining good quality relationships?
- How could relationships be improved and what are the challenges around this?
Want to work with e-wellbeing Youth Researchers? Get in touch!
If you, or your organisation, are interested in working with our Youth Researchers about any of these topics, or another topic related to youth mental health, please get in touch with Harriet Peach at [email protected].
To find out more about e-wellbeing and our other youth-led projects, follow us on social media!
Instagram: @_ewellbeing
Facebook: /ewellbeing
