Beyond the HYPE Blog

Reflecting on my involvement in the STEP Study

Just over a year ago, I had just finished completing my application for becoming a young researcher for the STEP Study.

I first heard about the work the STEP Study was doing from a work experience I attended with the REACH (Resilience, Ethnicity and AdolesCent mental Health) study. Whilst at this work experience, I was introduced to many research projects but to me, the STEP Study stood out as it was aimed at tackling a very big problem within schools and day-to-day life. In reality, most people know about the prevalence of Homophobic, Biphobic and Transphobic (HBT) bullying within the school environment and many would agree that it is wrong and needs to be tackled… Read more

No money, more problems?

It was around the time of being asked to analyse and write a paper investigating the link between financial debt and mental health, that the deeply saddening story of Jerome Rogers’ suicide was being retold by the media. Jerome Rogers was from South East London and only 20 years old when he died by suicide following a period of financial crisis coinciding with a number of related stressors. Prior to his death, Jerome had a number of interactions with bailiffs… Read more

Diet? What’s that?

Now this blog really isn’t focusing on weight gain or loss but more on informing you on the importance of your nutrition and giving you helpful tips and tools. This blog will also hope to try and debunk some nutrition myths. But I also know that many of you may also like information on losing or gaining weight. So, let me start off by suggesting we focus on the basics and what you can control, your food and drink intake… Read more

Nkasi Stoll is a PhD student under the supervision of Professor Stephani Hatch. You can read her blog published on the SMaRTeN (Student Mental Health Research Network) website below.

STUDENT-WELLBEING, PERSONAL IDENTITY AND UNIVERSITY CULTURE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM (SWIC STUDY)

My name is Nkasi and I struggled with a mental illness during my undergraduate and postgraduate life; and continue to struggle with depression, anxiety, and pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder as a PhD student.

As well as my battle with mental illness I also often struggle to navigate the varying degrees of racism I face as a black female PhD student. Research in young adults suggests certain personal identities (e.g. identifying as an ethnic minority, female, LGBTQI+) might mean you are more likely to struggle with mental health problems… Read more

Let’s Walk & Talk

An insightful blog into the world of physical activity and exercise.

Did you know that physical activity and exercise aren’t quite the same thing? Where physical activity is all about moving the body, exercise is a planned, structured version. We all know the great benefits of physical activity and exercise, but why do we put it off so often? It seems that physical activity such as walking is underappreciated and exercise such as strength training has become more of a social trend or a chore, rather than something done for enjoyment and wellbeing. Have we lost the fun and enjoyment in being active?… Read more

The HYPE Project Research team wrote a blog post describing the project for the SMaRteN (Student Mental Health Research Network) website.

The HYPE Project

Late childhood to early adulthood is a vulnerable period for the onset of long-term physical and mental health conditions. It is also a period of increased risk for the development of harmful health behaviours. In addition, this period is marked by significant life changes. These include the transition from child and adolescent to adult health services, moving out of home for the first time, and going to university or beginning employment. It is for these reasons that we, at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, have developed a project dedicated to improving the health of young people… Read more