Student Advisory Committee

Student Advisors

Student Advisory Committee

The Student Advisory Committee (SAC) advises Student Minds on strategic decisions, our programmes, our projects, our policies and to help inform our methods and approaches to engage students in our work.

The Student Advisory Committee consists of students, recent graduates and Students’ Union officers who will bring their personal and professional experience to help shape the work we do at Student Minds.

Aglaia

Aglaia is a PhD candidate in the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London. Her research focuses on developing novel digital interventions to improve mental health in young people. She is an experienced science communicator and a passionate mental health activist and uses her lived experience to spread mental health awareness.

After work, you can find her at the gym or outside running. Aglaia also enjoys reading and writing poetry and sharing good food with friends.

Alex

Alexandria is the current elected Vice President Community and Wellbeing officer at Liverpool John Moores Students’ Union (JMSU). She has been in this role for almost 2 years, and before that she completed her undergraduate degree in BSc Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU).

Alexandria began her degree during lockdown in 2020, an experience that provided her with unique insights into the mental health challenges faced by students in times of isolation and uncertainty. Serving in her role as the JMSU Vice President Community and Wellbeing officer, Alexandria has been dedicated to fostering a supportive university environment, implementing initiatives that prioritise safety and mental health amongst the LJMU student community.

Alexandria’s personal journey with mental health struggles and being late diagnosed as neurodivergent during her studies has deepened her passion for student mental health, driving her to advocate for the wellbeing of students at LJMU. Alexandria wanted to join the SAC because she is committed to contributing my experiences and insights to inform policies and programmes that enhance student wellbeing across the higher education sector.

Outside of her work, Alexandria enjoys taking on skills that don’t always come easy to her with dyspraxia, such as getting back into roller skating as this pushes her coordination and balance. She also finds joy in building LEGO, listening to Fleetwood Mac, learning tarot, and finding any opportunity to visit home to spend time with her dogs.

Amy

Amy is a Psychology student at the University of Sussex, specialising in Wellbeing. She is currently on placement in NHS Patient and Public Involvement, working on research surrounding anxiety, neurodiversity and OCD. Seeing the positive impact that lived experience has on shaping research has inspired her to share her own thoughts in a way that might help others.

Amy is particularly passionate about young people’s mental health, and has volunteered for the student listening service Nightline. She is excited to work with Student Minds to make meaningful change and improve mental health support.

To look after her mental health, Amy enjoys being creative, vintage shopping and spending time with her cat!

Becca

Becca is currently studying a BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy at the University of Salford.

Alongside her studies, Becca uses her own mental health lived experience to help shape and develop the services offered by her local NHS trust, including as part of a national project. She helps provide training for healthcare students and professionals and also advocates for and raises awareness around the importance of having hope when treating mental illnesses such as eating disorders.

Becca believes that no one should have to choose between their mental health and their education, and is passionate about making sure students have access to appropriate care and can get the right support at the right time.

When she qualifies, Becca hopes to work as an occupational therapist within a mental health setting.

In her spare time she enjoys swimming, surfing and rock-climbing, as well as going out for pancakes with friends.

Cheryl

Cheryl currently serves as Vice President for Welfare at the University of South Wales Student's Union. She completed a bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences and MSc in Public Health. Cheryl's dissertation explored new avenues of social prescribing in campus settings to improve students' sense of belonging at University. She believe that as a society, we should be looking for a more proactive approach to addressing young people's mental health needs.

Cheryl also has experience working in the health sector as a mental health advocate in Malaysia and Kenya. She strives to empower our youth to be more open to talking about their experiences with their mental health and sharing insights on how to do better as a society in supporting those struggling with their mental health.

Hannah

Hannah Catterall currently works at Leeds Beckett Students’ Union (LSBU) as Strategic Projects Officer, which involves coordinating with multiple teams across the organisation to ensure the smooth delivery of the charitable strategic plan. Previously, she was the elected Wellbeing Officer on the Student Executive Team at Leeds University Union (LUU) for the 2023/24 term. She graduated in July 2023 from the University of Leeds with a BA in Philosophy.

Hannah started her university in 2020 during the lockdown and underwent many academic and personal struggles throughout her degree, which had an impact on her mental health. Leeds University Union made her student experience amazing despite the academic and personal setbacks, which led her to run for the role of Wellbeing Officer in her third year. The role gave her so much purpose, and the chance to give back to the Leeds student community was incredibly fulfilling for her. She is so grateful to still be living and working in Leeds, supporting students through Leeds Beckett Students’ Union this time!

Hannah wanted to join the SAC to positively influence national mental health reform for all students and is excited for the opportunity to go above and beyond her current work in Leeds. She is thrilled to be rejoining the SAC for the second year in a row!

To look after her own wellbeing, Hannah loves dance and yoga classes, escaping to another world through watching films, cooking and baking, and spending time with friends and family.

Jessica

Jess is a final year psychology student at King's College London. Using her own personal experiences and what she has learnt about during her degree, Jess hopes to contribute positively to Student Minds, helping to advocate for continuous support for student mental health, believing that no student should have to suffer in silence.

Jess also works on the research team for U-Belong, a project exploring belonging and loneliness in university students, which has provided a better understanding of the ways we connect with one another whilst at university, and the impact on our mental health when this connection is different from expected. Jess is particularly interested in social policy reform to better support mental health and is excited to work with Student Minds in this area.

In her free time, Jess loves doing yoga and baking for her flatmates (and herself)!

Matt

Mat is a compassionate and driven advocate for student mental wellbeing. A Master’s student in Philosophy of Ethics and Religion, Mat embodies his commitment to student mental health through his social enterprise, School of Kamma. The first of its kind, Mat’s project aims to empower every student through mindfulness practices that promote positive mental wellbeing and self-care at uni.
Having personally suffered from low self-esteem, depression, addiction, and suicidal thoughts in his early youth, Mat returned to education as a mature student, graduating with first-class honours in Philosophy from the University of Liverpool at age 30. He credits mindfulness meditation, as fundamental to helping him overcome loneliness, imposter syndrome and social anxiety, excelling in his studies as a result.

An experience meditator, Mat’s lived-experience of overcoming mental health challenges has empowered him to successfully amplify the student-voice as a course representative, peer mentor, student spokesperson at Covid-19 government taskforce meetings, student experience coordinator, and early-stage Homes for Ukraine sponsor.

As such, Mat joins the Student Advisory Committee with a unique professional and experiential understanding of student mental health. One that empowers him to humbly support Student Minds in their endeavour to make sure that no student is held back by their mental health.

May all students be happy and well.

Mat’s self-care routine involves regular meditation, yoga, and attempting to stay consistent in the gym. He also enjoys traveling and trying new foods with his girlfriend.

Molly

Molly began studying Politics and International Relations at Royal Holloway University at 21, where she struggled with chronic loneliness. This experience sparked her passion for mental health advocacy, leading her to campaign with UK Youth, speak at the APPG on Loneliness, and advise DCMS Ministers, earning national recognition as an #iwill Ambassador.

Determined to drive change, she transferred to the Open University to study Childhood Studies part-time while working full-time as a Policy and Public Affairs Officer at a leading children’s charity. She serves on multiple advisory committees, including the National Children’s Bureau Social Care Board and the Department for Education, and frequently advises the Home Office, DLUHC, and DCMS.
Molly is committed to tackling youth loneliness, mental health, child exploitation, estrangement, and domestic violence. Her advocacy has been featured on BBC Politics, LBC, The Voice of Islam Radio, various podcasts, and a TRT World documentary on loneliness.

Outside of advocacy, she finds balance through meditation, yoga, coffee, salsa dancing, and spin classes.

Nadine

Nadine is the Head of Community Engagement at Sister Circle, where she supports underserved women facing barriers to accessing healthcare and wellbeing services. She graduated from London Metropolitan University in 2023 with a degree in Community Development and Leadership and is passionate about creating fairer, more inclusive communities.

As a mature student, Nadine understands the challenges of balancing family life, work, and studying. She is particularly focused on improving mental health support for mature students, international students, and those navigating life after university. She also advocates for culturally appropriate services and raising awareness around pre-menopause and menopause.

In addition to her role at Sister Circle, Nadine is a Project Leader at ReachOut, where she helps young people develop essential life skills, and an Independent Visitor, mentoring and supporting a young person in care. She also serves as a Parent Governor, advocating for better educational experiences in her local school community.

Through her work on the Student Advisory Committee at Student Minds, Nadine is committed to amplifying student voices and ensuring mental health support reflects the diverse needs of all students.

In her spare time, Nadine enjoys spending time with her children, friends, and family, mentoring young people, watching movies, and continuing her personal journey of growth and self care.

Pedram

Pedram Bani Asadi is a passionate advocate for students, an award-winning former Students’ Union President, and a Law Masters graduate. His dedication to student welfare extends beyond university walls: he serves as a school governor and a Trustee of the UK Council for International Student Affairs, ensuring that students’ voices are heard at every level.

With a decade of experience championing student-led initiatives, collaborating with university departments, and successfully passing policies at NUS Conferences, Pedram has relentlessly fought for meaningful change. His work on the TASO Mental Health Panel has only deepened his resolve to tackle the urgent issues students face. Having witnessed first-hand the devastating impact of inadequate mental health support, he joins the Student Advisory Group with a fierce determination to ensure no student ever feels alone. Every student deserves to be heard, supported, and empowered and he is committed to making that a reality.

Beyond his advocacy, Pedram finds joy in the creative world, appearing as a supporting artist in films and TV shows. Keep an eye out, you just might spot him in Man Like Mobeen (Season 5)!

Taj

Taj is an unapologetic black, queer award-winning human rights activist, writer, and student. Currently studying at King’s College London, they are an active champion and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, mental health, sustainability, intersectionality, decolonization, and anti-racism at the university level, national level, and internationally.

At the university level Taj has served in many roles, including as Chair of both the Black Students Network and the LGBTQ+ Students Network, President of the KCL LGBTQ+ Society, and EDI Student Rep for their department. Taj is also the founder of ‘Tea Time with Taj’ a KCLSU-funded peer support initiative focused on providing community oriented mental health and wellbeing support for LGBTQ+ students. Nationally, in addition to this role on the Student Minds SAC, they also serve as the LGBTQ+ Representative for the National Union of Students Liberation Campaigns team.

Internationally, Taj hails from the small island of Bermuda, where they co-founded Bermuda’s first and only LGBTQ+ youth group, ‘The Village’, and co-founded Bermuda Pride. Taj is also a regular contributor to the island’s media outlets on issues related to youth, LGBTQ+ rights, and anti-racism and currently consults the Ministry of Education on matters related to EDI. They also serve as the only black executive board member of the International LGBTQI Youth & Student Organization (IGLYO), which is the world’s largest network of LGBTQ+ youth and student organisations.

To look after their wellbeing, Taj treasures spending time with their closest friends laughing, cooking, and watching the latest shows.

Thirsha

Thirsha is an international PhD Candidate at the University of Portsmouth. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka and a MSc. in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Loughborough University. Thirsha has experience in higher education and mental health sectors.

Prior to embarking on her PhD journey, she worked as a Visiting Academic in Psychology in several Sri Lankan higher education institutions and also as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist in Training. Mental health and wellbeing of students is a deeply important topic for her. Her PhD is an intersectional exploration of the mental wellbeing of international women and non-binary doctoral researchers from the Global South. Apart from her PhD, she also serves as the Postgraduate Representative to the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

In her free time, you would find Thirsha in a local café enjoying a chat with her friends. She also enjoys watching women’s Tennis, doing yoga, escaping into the world of fiction, befriending animals in her neighbourhood and long walks with friends.