Overview
Members of the Youth Voice Executive Committee (YVEC) took part in a focus group run by researcher Rachel Perowne from University College London. Their conversations about mental health research have now been published in an official academic journal — and the paper was chosen as the article of the month. This is what happened, and the difference it made.
“What did YVEC members do?”
A little while ago, YVEC members took part in a focus group about mental health research — specifically, what makes it easy or difficult for young people like them to get involved in shaping it.
They were honest about their experiences, what puts them off, and what would genuinely help. No jargon. No prior research experience needed. Just their real views. What they said really mattered.
“It makes me feel like I can use quite challenging experiences in my life to make a positive difference. That’s actually been really important for my recovery.”
— Research participant
“knowing that it can be used by services and by professionals…to help change things or make it easier for young people to have better experiences with services in schools. It’s quite a big motivator.”
— Research participant
What it covered
Barriers and enablers to getting young people involved in mental health research.
What did young people say?
The focus groups uncovered what really helps — and what really doesn’t — when it comes to getting young people involved in mental health research.
✓ What helps (enablers)
✓ Research that feels relevant to their own lives and could create real change
✓ Being paid fairly for their time — especially important when money is tight
✓ Feeling safe, welcomed, and genuinely heard in the research environment
✓ Meeting others with shared experiences — knowing you’re not the only one
✕ What gets in the way (barriers)
✕ Simply not knowing these opportunities exist, especially for young people outside well-connected networks
✕ Worrying about what friends or peers might think about getting involved in anything linked to mental health
✕ Complex forms and jargon that feel off-putting and exclusive
✕ Not feeling emotionally ready, especially for those with their own mental health experiences
What happened next?
Those conversations became part of an official research paper, published in the academic journal Research Involvement and Engagement in May 2026. It was also selected as article of the month, a recognition of how significant the findings were.
“To make a positive difference” Diverse youth perspectives on getting involved in mental health research
Perowne et al. Research Involvement and Engagement (2026) 12:64
Impact: Why does this matter?”
Because of what YVEC members and other young people shared, researchers now have a clear set of recommendations for making mental health research more inclusive — especially for young people from backgrounds that are often left out.
The research recommends that researchers should:
• Go out into schools and communities rather than waiting for young people to find them
• Work with local cultural organisations and community groups to build trust
• Make forms and processes simpler, clearer, and less intimidating
• Use peer role models to show young people that research is for them too
• Pay young people fairly and flexibly for their time
• Create genuinely safe and welcoming environments where everyone feels included
These findings will shape how future mental health studies are designed — and who gets a seat at the table.
That’s youth voice in action.
Want to get involved?
If you’d like to take part in research or youth voice activities like this, get in touch with us or keep an eye on our opportunities pages.
Email us YouthVoiceBucks@buckinghamshire.gov.uk, or call, text or WhatsApp Kirstie on 07977 156026.