Future Research Leaders Publish Report on Mens Mental Health
This week, 7 student researchers presented their final report to the Board of Trustees and the Senior Executive team at Changes Bristol, a local mental health charity, marking the end of the Future Research Leaders (FRL) Project 2025.
The project, led by Bristol SU’s Research and Insights Team and funded by UKRI Research England, explored a critical question:
What barriers do male students of colour face in accessing mental health support?
Over the past six months, seven students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds worked closely with mentors and community partners to investigate this issue. Their research focused on non-NHS mental health services and used focus groups to gather real student experiences. Your can read the full report on our research hub.
Key Findings
The report identified several barriers that prevent male students of colour from accessing support:
- Cultural stigma and misconceptions around mental health
- Lack of relatable and inclusive services
- Concerns about privacy and trust
- Long wait times and low visibility of services
- A reliance on non-clinical coping strategies like music, sport, and social connection
Recommendations
The students proposed three key solutions to help students access the right support:
- Improve cultural responsiveness in mental health services
- Simplify access and ensure privacy
- Increase awareness through targeted, culturally relevant outreach
Their findings were met with enthusiasm by Changes Bristol, who suggested the report will help shape future peer-support initiatives and strengthen funding applications.
Why It Matters
This project is a powerful example of student-led research making a real-world impact. It also highlights our commitment to inclusive research, equity, and community collaboration.
The future research leaders will further showcase their work at the Research England Festival in July 2025.
The Future Research Leaders are; Alaa Alkhdair, Emily Arceo, Karnikka Mahendran, Nadjwa Binti Nur Firdaus Seet, Segun Bamidele, Sharan Khemlani and Wisdom Adzakor.
Congratulations for all your hard work and an incredible piece of research 🎉
Whats next?
On 10 June, the Future Research Leaders will be showcasing thier work at our Insights & Innovations Event! 🔬🦠
Here we are celebrating the academic work of students across a range of fields.
This research showcase also offers an opportunity to explore student-led poster presentations, engage with peers and professionals, and gain insights from expert speakers including Professor Judith Squires, Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Provost, and Professor Harry Mellor, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for Postgraduate Research.
Get down to the SU Loft, have a free lunch and check out some of the incredible work on show in June!
