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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 doesn’t work that way. We’re asking it to do things it hasn’t evolved to do. And because of this, clinicians, academics, and mental health professionals often end up having the wrong conversations, conversations that can impose meaning on others in ways that are unhelpful, or even harmful. Alongside this critique, Gareth brings decades of experience as a psychotherapist, researcher, lecturer, and sector leader. He is the lead author of the University Mental Health Charter, a clinical advisor to Student Minds, and the creator of multiple sector‑shaping resources including Education for Mental Health, Student Space, and The Wellbeing Thesis. He is also a Principal Fellow of the HEA and author of Be Well, Learn Well. This episode invites listeners to rethink how language shapes our understanding of mental health,  and what happens when the words we rely on begin to stretch, shift, and blur. Thanks for listening!

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 emerging from new iterations of mental health language. Alongside this critique, Gareth brings decades of experience as a psychotherapist, researcher, lecturer, and sector leader. He is the lead author of the University Mental Health Charter, a clinical advisor to Student Minds, and the creator of multiple sector‑shaping resources including Education for Mental Health, Student Space, and The Wellbeing Thesis. He is also a Principal Fellow of the HEA and author of Be Well, Learn Well. Together, they explore what it means to research student mental health in a shifting cultural landscape, and how the words we choose shape the stories we tell and our experiences of services. Thanks for listening!

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 spaces: a live podcast recorded at King’s College London in collaboration with SMaRteN and All Things Mental Health. Join your host Anna Bailie, Researcher in Residence from All Things Mental Health as we introduce our brand new series Rethinking University Mental Health. A twelve‑episode exploration of complexity, culture, and collective responsibility in student wellbeing. Hear directly from the people shaping the future of student mental health, and dive into conversations that challenge assumptions, spark curiosity, and open up new ways of thinking. Stay tuned as our conference hosts kick off this audio journey, and access a more accessible academia. Thanks for listening!

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 like a two-step dance between process and relationship, but we take the time to understand our own relational patterns before stepping into the hard work of change together. We also recognise that ruptures are not failures but inevitable parts of life. That is why we invest deeply in the ongoing practice of repair, friendship and self-care. Relational learning is not always comfortable, but it is always transformational. The intention behind this podcast is for young people to be in conversation with each other and from various intersections of the community around Partisan’s 4 pillars. These are:  🔁 Relationships  💸 Redistribution  🌱 Regeneration  🛠️ Repair This series explores conversations between young people, Partisan staff, elders, clinicians, and community changemakers—from climate justice organisers to mental health advocates. It is a space for dialogue, connection, and redefining what support means in a world that has not always been fair. As Partisan closes, the work doesn’t end. Over the past five years, young people, partners, and communities have shown us what’s possible when support is built on trust, justice, and real relationships. The systems we imagined together are more human, more connected, more equitable and will continue through the people who shaped them. The learning, the practice, and the courage to do things differently lives on beyond this project. Thank you to everyone who walked with us. The legacy of Partisan isn’t an organisation, it's the relationships, the ideas, and the futures we’ve sparked together. Find out more at partisanuk.org  Access the resource pack for this series here linktr.ee/ATMH  Thanks for listening!

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 to define it. At its heart, repair is about staying in a relationship, even when it is hard, which it often is, and  about naming harm, taking responsibility, and supporting people to live their preferred story. The intention behind this podcast is for young people to be in conversation with each other and from various intersections of the community around Partisan’s 4 pillars. These are:  🔁 Relationships  💸 Redistribution  🌱 Regeneration  🛠️ Repair This series explores conversations between young people, Partisan staff, elders, clinicians, and community changemakers—from climate justice organisers to mental health advocates. It is a space for dialogue, connection, and redefining what support means in a world that has not always been fair. Find out more at partisanuk.org  Access the resource pack for this series here linktr.ee/ATMH  Thanks for listening!

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, and built upon without burning people out. It is about working in ways that honour limits, grow capacity, and prioritise collective nourishment over depletion. Communities already hold vast ideas and strength. We draw on these, as well as ancestral and cultural wisdom. Guided by the Ghanaian principle of Sankofa, we return to recover what was lost, dismissed, or forgotten, and bring it forward with care, so that mistakes are not repeated. Regeneration is not just about sustaining work and productivity, it is about sustaining people, together. The intention behind this podcast is for young people to be in conversation with each other and from various intersections of the community around Partisan’s 4 pillars. These are:  🔁 Relationships  💸 Redistribution  🌱 Regeneration  🛠️ Repair This series explores conversations between young people, Partisan staff, elders, clinicians, and community changemakers, from climate justice organisers to mental health advocates. It is a space for dialogue, connection, and redefining what support means in a world that has not always been fair. Find out more at partisanuk.org  Access the resource pack for this series here linktr.ee/ATMH  Thanks for listening!

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, creativity, and solutions. When we fund, trust, and platform the voices at the margins, and respond to their needs, everyone benefits. True redistribution also means letting go of control. It calls us to step back so that others can step forward. It shifts not only where power sits, but also who decides, designs, and defines the future. The intention behind this podcast is for young people to be in conversation with each other and from various intersections of the community around Partisan’s 4 pillars. These are:  🔁 Relationships  💸 Redistribution  🌱 Regeneration  🛠️ Repair This series explores conversations between young people, Partisan staff, elders, clinicians, and community changemakers—from climate justice organisers to mental health advocates. It is a space for dialogue, connection, and redefining what support means in a world that has not always been fair.  Find out more at partisanuk.org Access the resource pack for this series here linktr.ee/ATMH  This episode was recorded shortly after a Community Impact Weekend held by Partisan in Lewisham in May 2025 which episode host Millie attended. You can find out more by reading reflections on Partisan’s website. Thanks for listening!

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 community around Partisan’s 4 pillars. These are:  🔁 Relationships  💸 Redistribution  🌱 Regeneration  🛠️ Repair Conversations across each episode are guided by these pillars, which Partisan has been using for the last few years to transform how we organise, care, and build communities.  This series explores conversations between young people, Partisan staff, elders, clinicians, and community changemakers, from climate justice organisers to mental health advocates. It is a space for dialogue, connection, and redefining what support means in a world that has not always been fair. Find out more at partisanuk.org  Access the resource pack for this series here linktr.ee/ATMH  Thanks for listening!

“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 neurodivergent student. In each episode, students share and reflect on their own, unique, personal experiences, the lessons they have learned and their own opinions about life as a neurodivergent student. In the final episode, Esther and James explore what it means to step beyond university life into placements, years abroad and apprenticeships. They share personal stories of asking for reasonable adjustments during interviews and in the workplace, and explain the differences between Disabled Students’ Allowances and Access to Work. This episode explores how to navigate sensory and emotional challenges in new professional and international settings. Head to our linktree for resources specially tailored for neurodiverse students by podcast hosts and our researcher in residence https://linktr.ee/ATMH  Thanks for listening!

“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 neurodivergent student. In each episode, students share and reflect on their own, unique, personal experiences, the lessons they have learned and their own opinions about life as a neurodivergent student.  Managing and preventing burnout as a neurodivergent student can be challenging, but taking practical steps can really help. Andrew and Sarah discuss lessons they learned to manage and prevent burnout, including setting and communicating boundaries with friends, flatmates and coursemates, and finding community through peer support groups and neurodiversity networks. They reflect on the importance of making space for rest, connection and self-advocacy to maintain balance during student life. Head to our linktree for resources specially tailored for neurodiverse students by podcast hosts and our researcher in residence https://linktr.ee/ATMH  Thanks for listening!

“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 neurodivergent student. In each episode, students share and reflect on their own, unique, personal experiences, the lessons they have learned and their own opinions about life as a neurodivergent student.  In this episode, Arya and Liza create a practical guide to studying with neurodivergence in mind. They share tools for managing time, focus and motivation, and recognising how executive function affects learning. They explore how they have identified their strengths and study with them in mind, along with overcoming barriers in academic systems. This episode offers lived experience-based strategies for surviving and thriving at university. Head to our linktree for resources specially tailored for neurodiverse students by podcast hosts and our researcher in residence https://linktr.ee/ATMH  Thanks for listening!

“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 neurodivergent student. In each episode, students share and reflect on their own, unique, personal experiences, the lessons they have learned and their own opinions about life as a neurodivergent student. How do mental health and neurodivergence intersect? Emily and Rachel talk about navigating university and NHS support systems, along with how to lean into your strengths and find a sense of belonging. They discuss how building confidence in your neurodivergent identity can positively affect your mental health and overall university experience. They also discuss their experience of accessing the Disabled Students Allowance, which funds additional support for students with a disability, long-term health condition or who are neurodivergent. We would encourage all students who are eligible to access this funding so you can receive all of the support available to you. Head to our linktree for the resources mentioned in this episode and specially tailored for neurodiverse students by podcast hosts and our researcher in residence https://linktr.ee/ATMH Please note: In this episode, Emily and Rachel share some of their experiences of receiving support which they did not find helpful. These are their real, felt experiences. However, they are not true of the experience of every neurodivergent student. Many neurodivergent students have received support from their university and from Specialist Mentors that they have found helpful, and as they note, many universities are improving the support they provide to neurodivergent students. If you are a neurodivergent student, please do contact your university support team to discuss what support you can receive. If you find the support you are receiving to be unhelpful, please contact your support service to tell them and ask for support to help change this or to access an alternative.   Thanks for listening!

“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 neurodivergent student. In each episode, students share and reflect on their own, unique, personal experiences, the lessons they have learned and their own opinions about life as a neurodivergent student. What does self-advocacy look like as a neurodivergent student, and why is it so important? Melody and Evelyn explore this shift: moving from school, where advocacy was often done on your behalf, to speaking up for yourself at university and beyond. The conversation includes legal rights, accessibility tools like communication passports, and practising self-advocacy skills you can take into employment. Head to our linktree for resources specially tailored for neurodiverse students by podcast hosts and our researcher in residence https://linktr.ee/ATMH Thanks for listening!

“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 neurodivergent student. In each episode, students share and reflect on their own, unique, personal experiences, the lessons they have learned and their own opinions about life as a neurodivergent student.  This episode is in two parts. In the first part, the team behind the series reflect on ‘Life as a neurodivergent student’ and the creation of this podcast and the other resources developed through the project. They also discuss some of the experiences that students shared with them during the project and how this aligns with research and clinical experience. Importantly, the team reflects on the fact that different students involved had very different experiences of their time at university. As Dr Ashley notes, every neurodivergent person has their own journey, and they have unique strengths and challenges, and universities are also very different. Thankfully, as the team also discussed, many universities are also improving in the support they provide. In the second half of the episode, Michael and Martha open up about their personal journeys with neurodivergence, sharing reflections on diagnosis, identity, and navigating life with “spicy” brains. Martha recounts being diagnosed with dyspraxia at age 15, a moment that shifted her understanding of herself, especially since she had only ever heard of dyslexia before. Michael reflects on his university experience, where subtle differences in how he approached tasks led to a diagnosis of both ADHD and dyslexia. For him, receiving the "label" was less about limitation and more about unlocking “self-re-discovery” and growth. Together, they explore how their brains differ from neurotypical norms, and how that shaped their academic and social experiences. Michael describes feeling overwhelmed in traditional university settings, while Martha shares the anxiety she faces when discussing her diagnosis with new people. They also confront the stigma that can come with being open about neurodivergence, and how, through peer support and introspection, they’ve embarked on powerful journeys of self-discovery to redefine what it means to thrive with a neurodiverse identity. Head to our linktree for resources specially tailored for neurodiverse students by podcast hosts and our researcher in residence https://linktr.ee/ATMH  Thanks for listening!

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 to hear more. The co-hosts draw on their own experiences and if yours are different, that doesn't mean you can't find belonging or acceptance within your own individual journey. Access the Student Space Support Package here: https://studentspace.org.uk/wellbeing/life-as-a-trans-student Thanks for listening!