All Things Mental Health
All Things Mental Health 54 episodes Nov 5, 2026
A mental health podcast focusing on young minds and students, bridging the gap between research and lived experience. It features interviews and discussions with experts and young people, aiming to create new dialogue around mental health. The podcast has been featured in The Guardian and partners with universities and mental health organizations. The team includes a founder who is a trustee for Student Minds and a researcher with WHO involvement.
Episodes
From Silos to Systems
Our latest episode explores the interconnected relationship between student wellbeing, belonging and the wider social and economic pressures shaping university life. Juliet Foster, and Tiffany Luxford, introduce a series of lightning talks bringing together diverse perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing student mental health.Dr Michael Priestley examines how the physical universit
Lost in The System
Our latest episode explores the relationship between research and practice in student mental health, and how universities can better support students through the challenges of transition, neurodivergence, and loneliness. Alongside these topics, we take a thoughtful look at efforts to prevent sexual violence and ensure every student feels safe and supported. What does it mean to create genuinely in
Are we talking mental health bad?
In this episode, Dr Gareth Hughes takes us deeper into the world of mental health concepts, diagnostic terms, and the uneasy binary between illness and health. Drawing on ideas like concept creep, he challenges approaches that try to pin down “the right use of words”, approaches that assume mental health language can be fixed, precise, and universally agreed upon.Gareth argues that language simply
Gareth Hughes on Language
Our first live interview dives into the language of mental health, how we use it, how it’s changing, and why it matters. Are we living in an era of overdiagnosis, or is society finally naming experiences we’ve always understood?Anna, Researcher in Residence at All Things Mental Health, sits down with Dr Gareth Hughes, Clinical Lead at Student Minds, to unpack the frustrations and opportunities eme
Introduction, Rethinking University Mental Health
The SMaRteN 2026 Conference brought together researchers, students, clinicians, activists, and educators to rethink how universities understand and support student mental health. Across Lightning Talks, Panels, Workshops, Posters, and Discussion Sessions, the event created space for fresh ideas, shared experiences, and collective problem solving.This introduction episode captures one of those spac
Relationships
The problem is clear: our current systems rarely value the time it takes to build trust and relationships. Yet trust is the foundation of meaningful change. Whether for individuals, communities, or entire systems.For Funto, Kyra and Millie, relationships are not an optional extra; they are the work. We know that relationships move at the speed of trust, and we honour that pace. Sometimes it feels
Repair
Our hosts begin by acknowledging that the current system has harmed and continues to traumatise and marginalise racialised communities.For Millie and Reuben, repair is not a single act. It is a long-term, relational, and political commitment. It moves beyond service delivery into trust-building, truth-telling, and deep listening. It asks us to redefine what healing means, and crucially, who gets t
Regeneration
To regenerate, we begin with a recognition. The current global system is extractive. It sustains white supremacy, heteropatriarchy, and dominant narratives that deplete us. Dismissing wisdom held across cultures and generations, and oppresses our communities.Ruth and Michael Hamilton discuss how regeneration represents our refusal of that cycle. It is a change designed to last, sustained, retained
Redistribution
A few people, and a few institutions, currently hold most of the power, knowledge, and resources. We choose approaches that intentionally disrupt this imbalance, redistributing power to racially minoritised communities.Our two young hosts, Ruth and Millie, describe how redistribution is not only about fairness; it is also a strategy. Those most affected by injustice often hold the deepest insight,
The 4 R's
Welcome to our exciting new series. All Things Mental Health and Partisan have teamed up for a new podcast that explores how young people in Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southwark in London are imagining mental health, justice, and care beyond our current, broken systems. The intention behind this podcast is for young people to be in conversation with each other and from various intersections of the com
Beyond the classroom: placements, apprenticeships and years abroad
“Life as a Neurodivergent Student” is a new podcast series co-created by Student Minds and All Things Mental Health, designed to explore and share the lived experiences of neurodivergent students in higher education. Drawing on research, clinical insight, and student-led steering groups, the series opens conversations around support, representation and navigating university life as a neurodivergen
Finding balance as a neurodivergent student
“Life as a Neurodivergent Student” is a new podcast series co-created by Student Minds and All Things Mental Health, designed to explore and share the lived experiences of neurodivergent students in higher education. Drawing on research, clinical insight, and student-led steering groups, the series opens conversations around support, representation and navigating university life as a neurodivergen
The neurodivergent study survival guide
“Life as a Neurodivergent Student” is a new podcast series co-created by Student Minds and All Things Mental Health, designed to explore and share the lived experiences of neurodivergent students in higher education. Drawing on research, clinical insight, and student-led steering groups, the series opens conversations around support, representation and navigating university life as a neurodivergen
Mental health & neurodivergent identities
“Life as a Neurodivergent Student” is a new podcast series co-created by Student Minds and All Things Mental Health, designed to explore and share the lived experiences of neurodivergent students in higher education. Drawing on research, clinical insight, and student-led steering groups, the series opens conversations around support, representation and navigating university life as a neurodivergen
Advocating for yourself
“Life as a Neurodivergent Student” is a new podcast series co-created by Student Minds and All Things Mental Health, designed to explore and share the lived experiences of neurodivergent students in higher education. Drawing on research, clinical insight, and student-led steering groups, the series opens conversations around support, representation and navigating university life as a neurodivergen
Diagnosis, discovery, and daily Life
“Life as a neurodivergent student” is a new podcast series co-created by Student Minds and All Things Mental Health, designed to explore and share the lived experiences of neurodivergent students in higher education. Drawing on research, clinical insight, and student-led steering groups, the series opens conversations around support, representation and navigating university life as a neurodivergen
Coming out stories
For our final episode, hear from Alex and Ashley about their coming out stories. Exploring belonging and community, they discuss the importance of finding safe spaces, understanding your own journey, and effective peer support. They discuss how they have navigated adversity, activist burnout and other challenges. Healthy community building has supported them along the way, and you can tune in now
Living a double life
In our second episode, Reo, Harry and X explore the non-binary experience of living a double life across all aspects of their lives, including at university, with friends, and at home. Tune in to hear them discuss the unique challenges of non-acceptance, cultural constraints, and varying levels of understanding they navigate. This episode sheds light on shared and differing experiences, and encour
Advocacy and activism
This episode starts by introducing this series ‘Life as a trans+ student’. This series explores navigating university life as a transgender and/or non-binary student. Tune in to hear Aneeska, Anna, Izzy and Ugla explore the motivations for the series and the topics we will be covering. This series is a collaboration between Student Minds, Gendered Intelligence and All Things Mental Health, and for
The Social History of Student Loneliness
U-Belong student researcher Amy will explore student loneliness with Dr Sarah Crook, a historian at Swansea University. They'll explore how student loneliness has evolved over the decades, influenced by societal changes, technology, and educational structures. The two will shed light on how loneliness has shaped the student experience and what can be done to foster a more connected and suppor
Community and Housing
Tune in to hear from U-Belong student researcher Victor in conversation with Dr Sarah Crook, a Senior Lecturer in History at Swansea University. Sarah explores student histories in her research. In this conversation, Victor and Sarah explore the role housing plays in loneliness and the importance of fostering community across the diverse student population in the UK. (Views expressed by individua
Neurodiversity and Belonging
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
The Cost of Living Crisis
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
Career Pathways in Mental Health
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 Happin
Curriculum Transformation and Wellbeing
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
Mental Health Realities at University
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
Introduction, Building Belonging at University
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 l
International experience: change and identity away from home
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 ad
From leadership to imposter syndrome
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 t
Intersectionality: LGBTQ+ and Religion
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
Family: Expectations, female roles, and masculinity
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
Introduction, Life as a Black student
Life as a Black student explores the lived experience of eight Black students studying and living in the U.K. Our aim is to move away from the stereotypical understanding of a 'homogeneous' experience, and instead we're being led by the lived experience of students in a more meaningful and authentic way. This podcast series explores the Black student experience of mental health in
From Neuroscience to Neuroinclusion, via Pedagogical Partnerships
This week, neurodivergent Coventry University student Elizabeth Mullenger discusses inclusion, adaptation and misconception with Anne-Laure Le Cunff, a PhD candidate from the ADHD research lab at King’s College London. Elizabeth’s interest in neurodivergence stems from her own experience of attending university whilst living with borderline personality disorder; navigating barriers and exploring n
Lived Experience in Mental Health Support
In this week’s episode, the host is Tanatswa Chikaura. Tanatswa is a mental health advocate and master’s in Neuroscience student from the University of Cambridge. In Zimbabwe, her home country, Tanatswa leads a mental health organisation that seeks to promote good mental health for children, adolescents, and youths called Ndinewe Foundation; and her research interests lie primarily in cognitive ne
Finding a Sense of Belonging: Supporting Mature Students
In this episode, we dive into the mental health challenges faced by post-graduate and mature students in a university setting. Titus Joseph, a masters student studying Public Health at the University of Nottingham, speaks with Dr. Patricia (Trish) Jackman, Associate Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology at the University of Lincoln, about her research.Titus is a mature student and has experie
Belonging and Black Students’ Mental Health
(CW: death, mentions of self-harm and suicide) To kick off series 2 with SMaRteN this week’s episode, Elia Chitwa, a recent graduate from the University of Cambridge and current student union sabbatical officer, is joined by Dr Dionne Taylor, an Associate Professor at Birmingham City University. They talk about Dionne’s SMaRteN-funded research which is centred on the creation of student-led wellbe
Reunion Episode: Keeping Students in Mind
We are thrilled to welcome back our students & SMaRteN from our collab series ‘Keeping Students in Mind: Understanding Student Mental Health Research’ for a special reunion episode! This one-off focuses on post-uni life to celebrate the coming together of mental health researchers from across the U.K for the SMaRteN conference last week. Hearing from new and familiar graduates, we discuss how
Fatema Dawoodbhoy in conversation with Dr Georgia Walker Churchman
In this episode, Fatema Mustansir Dawoodbhoy, a final year medical student at Imperial College London, chats to Dr Georgia Walker Churchman, a lecturer in Humanities at the University of East Anglia with a background in English Literature, about her SMaRteN-funded project titled ‘Helping Students to Connect, Create, and Collaborate in their Own Wellbeing’. Georgia led this project on student menta
Niamh Burns in conversation with Dr Natasa Lackovic
On this week’s episode Niamh Burns, a final year psychology student at the University of Leeds, speaks with Natasa Lackovic about her SMaRteN-funded research project, ‘Things and the mind: students’ graphic memoir of material things that mediate their mental health experiences’. Natasa is a Director of the Centre of Higher Education Research and Evaluation (CHERE) at the Department of Educational
Eric Berger in conversation with Dr Rachel Spacey
In this week’s episode, Eric Berger, a final year undergraduate student at The University of Edinburgh, is joined by Rachel Spacey, a Research Fellow based in the Lincoln Higher Education Research Institute at the University of Lincoln. They discuss her SMaRteN-funded project, “Who cares? Identifying, understanding and supporting the work-life balance of students with caring responsibilities”. Bot
Jenna Luxon in conversation with Dr Emma Broglia
In this week’s episode, Jenna Luxon, a Social and Political Sciences graduate from the University of York, is joined by postdoctoral researcher Dr Emma Broglia from the University of Sheffield. The two discuss Emma’s research into mental health interventions in higher education, focusing on the thoughts and experiences of those students with long-term mental health conditions. The episode starts w
Introducing ‘Keeping Students in Mind: Understanding Student Mental Health Research’
For University Mental Health Day 2022, we’re thrilled to present Episode 1 of ‘Keeping Students in Mind: Understanding Student Mental Health Research’, a collaborative podcast brought to you by All Things Mental Health (a mental health podcasting organisation), King’s College London (KCL), and SMaRteN (KCL’s student mental health research network). Episode 1 is in conversation with Aneeska Sohal -
Lucy Whitehouse: Sexual Health & Mental Health
(CW: sexual violence briefly mentioned in this episode) It was great to chat with the CEO of Fumble, Lucy Whitehouse, for the last episode of this series. Fumble is a sex education charity. They set out to make sure that young people have the skills and knowledge to successfully manage their sexual health. Aneeska and Lucy chat more about the interlink between sexual health and mental health. Tune
Addam Merali-Younger: Marginalisation in Student Support Services
This week Addam Merali-Younger chats to us about the lack of representation in the student mental health sector, and how this creates a barrier. Addam is training to be a counsellor and he also works in the wider student mental health sector with an interest in diversification. Addam explains how “you look at the whole sector and everything is based on research by quite a non-diverse audience, de
Dr Anna Colton: Distress Tolerance in Young Minds
Great to have Dr Anna Colton with us this week. Anna is a clinical psychologist and she chatted to us about the importance of being honest about distress from a young age, helping young minds build a tolerance to deal with it. Anna discusses how the education system needs to change to help young people formulate a language to understand and label their distress. While this requires significant ins
Dr Manuel Madriaga: Inclusive Educational Spaces
Delighted to be joined by Dr Manuel Madriaga this week. Manny is a Senior Lecturer in Education Studies at Sheffield Hallam University. His research interests are on the process of social exclusion and inclusion related to ‘race’, ethnicity, and disability. Aneeska and Manny discuss the need for multicultural, inclusive spaces on campuses amidst the white majority higher education space in the UK.
Michael Priestley: Assessments and Exams
This week it was a pleasure to have Michael Priestley with us. Michael is a PhD student based at Durham University and his research explores how higher education policies impact student wellbeing, with a particular focus on assessments and exams. Tune in to hear Michael discuss the importance of a cultural change around how we value and talk about assessments, issues around self-worth and examinat
John de Pury: Mental Health and Wellbeing at University
Delighted to have John de Pury, the Assistant Director of Policy at Universities UK, join us this week. Aneeska and John explore how our mental health and wellbeing underpins our success in relation to learning. John talks about how we all have and own this experience, and why we must pay sustained attention to it. Tune in to also hear about why a collective approach to student mental health can b
Misha Clarke: Mindfulness for Children
This week Aneeska chats with Misha Clarke, a mindfulness and yoga teacher based in Oxford. Misha discusses the benefits of mindfulness for children, drawing off her experience of teaching students aged from 7-11. We are delighted to announce that Misha is offering a free meditation and yoga session for our listeners! Listen to the episode for all the info!Thanks for listening!
Natasha Devon: Navigating Mental Health from a Young Age
To kick off Series 2, we are excited to have Natasha Devon with us. Natasha is a writer and activist. She is currently doing a Saturday Night LBC show. She tours schools, colleges & universities around the world, delivering talks as well as conducting research on mental health. In this episode, Aneeska chats to Natasha about the importance of navigating mental health from a young age. Thanks f
Music
For the last episode of this series, we have Tom Gulliver with us discussing the mental health benefits of music. Tom chats to us about all the music outlets he's been involved with at the University of York, including Band Soc, open mic nights at different colleges, as well as helping with tech at the Norman Rea Gallery through events such as A Multilingual Experience. Tom tracks his own jou
Self Care with BEAT
(CW: eating disorders) This week we chat to Issy Tee and Lydia Jones about the work they are doing for BEAT, the UK's eating disorder charity. Issy, a young ambassador for BEAT, discusses the different ways the charity support those with eating disorders, as well as how they look out for those who are supporting others with eating disorders too. Lydia, the former vice president of the BEAT So
Dance
Tune in to hear from Becky Metcalfe this week who chats to us about how dance has been a consistent and great outlet for her since she was little, really helping her ground her mental health. We discuss her evolution as a dancer, and Aneeska shares her experience as a dancer too. The pair share anecdotes, discuss the challenges of performing, as well as how to take in criticism. They chat through
Sport
This week we chat to Sonya Sandhu about the mental health benefits of playing football. Sonya discusses how university sports teams are breaking the taboo surrounding mental health and sports by appointing welfare officers, with teams starting to take mental health just as seriously as physical health. She tracks her own mental health journey with us, discussing the well-being benefits of being a
A Multilingual Experience
Aneeska chats to her Multilingual Experience executive committee, Chris Oldnall and Laura Burke. The initiative raises awareness about global issues through evenings of live performances from musicians, poets and speakers. The team discuss how their initiative has evolved over the years, raising money for charities such as Think Equal, Human Rights Watch and Student Minds. Chris and Laura talk to
Hospital Radio
Hear from Jacob Lindley this week who chats to us about his experience working at Harrogate Hospital Radio. Jacob tells us about how the station are looking after the well-being of patients. This includes popping round to the different wards and taking song recommendations. Jacob talks to us about how this really helps to brighten up the patient's day. He also reflects on how the whole experi
Travel
This week Amber and Fahmida discuss travel and mental health with us. Amber tells us all about her experience with Dil Internship Project in Pakistan, an initiative which provides opportunities for students to intern in Pakistani companies. Fahmida chats to us about her time in India as part of the University of York's Global Opportunities Programme, as well as her solo travel trip to Berlin.
Women in Leadership Roles at the Norman Rea Gallery
We chatted to the former director of the Norman Rea Gallery, Grace Frazer. Grace discusses how working at the gallery has really helped her with her mental health, giving her a platform to really develop her skills & passions. She gives us a behind the scenes take on the gallery, discussing exhibitions, and the collaborative nature of the team.Thanks for listening!
Student Minds
Tune in to hear from the University of York students Aneeska Sohal, Chris Oldnall, Danny Bowman and Laura Burke, who volunteer for the student mental health charity Student Minds. Have a listen to hear about how the charity are helping students across the country through a big mobilisation project, the 'Leaders Movement', unifying the fight through a powerful collective student voice. Th
Recommended
Why? with Emma Kennedy
The English Podcast
British English Listening Practice - English Go! Podcast
BBC Newsround
Global News Podcast
Psychology, Actually
The Rest Is Science
Dig Deep
Desert Island Discs
Easy English: Learn English with everyday conversations
SAS: The Shadow War
Learn UK English By Podcast
