How it works
MH:2K’s national recommendations are drawn from its work in five local areas. In each of these areas the project follows the same seven steps.
Recruitment
We recruit a core team of young people as Citizen Researchers.
Local areas participating
- Birmingham
- Central Lancashire
- Nottingham & Nottinghamshire
- North Tyneside
- Oldham
Total number of Citizen Researchers
127
Demographics of Citizen Researchers
- 36% BAME
- 16% LGBTQ+
- 12% with a physical or learning disability
- 78% with lived experience of mental ill-health
Design Days
The Citizen Researchers use key information and their own experiences to agree five priority topics for their area. They receive training in facilitation and public speaking.
Priorities chosen by Citizen Researchers across the five areas
- Ethnic minorities
- Family, parents, friends and carers
- Healthy relationships
- LGBTQ+ young people
- Schools and education
- Self-harm
- Services and professionals
- Social media and self-esteem
- Stigma and awareness
- Young men
Roadshow
The Citizen Researchers co-design and co-deliver workshops to engage other young people on the priority topics.
Types of organisations hosting roadshow events
- Council groups
- Schools, colleges and universities
- Service user groups
- Voluntary and community groups
- Youth centres
Total number of roadshow events
173
Total number of young people engaged in roadshows
3,447
Results Day
The Citizen Researchers analyse the Roadshow data. They work with local decision-makers and researchers to decide the project’s findings and recommendations.
Total number of findings
128
Total number of recommendations
146
Big Showcase
The Citizen Researchers present their findings and recommendations to key stakeholders.
Total number of decision-makers and researchers attending attending Big Showcases
295
92.8%
of attendees said the findings and recommendations were 'very useful'
98.5%
of attendees said they would do something new or differently as a result of the findings and recommendations
Local Advisory Panel
A panel of local decision-makers, researchers and other stakeholders informs the project’s work throughout its lifetime.
Number of Local Advisory panel members
56
Local Advisory panel members
- Academic Health Science Networks
- CAMHS
- Civil society groups
- Clinical Commissioning Groups
- Clinical Research Networks
- Councils
- Education partnerships
- Schools
- Young people
Impact
MH:2K has a significant impact on participating young people, decision-makers and researchers.
Work influenced by MH:2K
- Frameworks and strategies
- Local Transformation Plans
- Materials
- Participation work
- Practices in schools
- Training and guidance
Impact on Citizen Researchers
- 86% of Citizen Researchers report greater optimism for the future
- 82% report increased feelings of wellbeing
- 86% report that their confidence has grown