School pupils from across Coventry came together at the University of Warwick on Thursday 20 November for a special event aimed at supporting young people to develop skills and confidence in promoting mental health among their peers.
The event was part of a wider school-based, youth-focused mental health initiative led by the University's Community Engagement team. The project aimed to equip local pupils with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills to support wellbeing among their peers.
Research suggests that many young people today feel more comfortable sharing their feelings online than seeking professional help face to face. The programme responded to this by helping pupils support one another in positive ways, encouraging open conversations about mental health, and creating a network of trained Mental Health Champions across Coventry schools.
The initiative was developed by ThinkHigher, the Higher Education Outreach organisation for Coventry and Warwickshire, and designed by a UKCP-accredited psychotherapist to help pupils build confidence, strengthen their sense of belonging, and learn practical strategies for supporting wellbeing.
Ella, a Year 11 Welfare Mental Health Ambassador, said: "I've learned how important it is to respond with care when someone speaks about their mental health. Bringing awareness matters, especially in a school environment where there can be a lot of judgment.
"The best part of the day was the depression and anxiety session hearing other people's perspectives really opened my eyes."
Jo Kerr, Teacher at West Coventry Academy, added: "The students involved really valued their experience and have felt empowered to support friends and peers with their mental health in a range of ways."
Psychology students from the University of Warwick also participated, helping to lead activities and share insights into mental health awareness and the importance of looking out for others. The full-day interactive campus events, along with pre- and post-event sessions, featured workshops, group discussions, and activities designed to help pupils recognise and respond to mental health needs in themselves and others, and to explore how small, everyday actions can make a real difference to young people's wellbeing.
Jo Gaffney, Psychological Therapist, Wellbeing Support Services, University of Warwick, said: "This programme was created to put young people, their voices, and their experiences at the centre of mental health support within schools. Using age-appropriate, relevant psychological education in an engaging and fun way, we aim to provide participants with tools and techniques to understand and support themselves and their peers within their unique school settings."
Martin Price, Associate Director, Regional Engagement, University of Warwick, concluded: "It was wonderful to see pupils from across Coventry taking part. As part of Warwick's wider work across the region, initiatives like this help young people understand and look after their wellbeing, build confidence, and support their peers. Through these efforts, we're helping local young people access life-changing opportunities, raise their aspirations, and thrive in their schools and communities."
The Mental Health Champions initiative is part of Warwick's broader commitment to working with local schools and communities to support inclusion, wellbeing, and opportunity for young people across the region.
