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.
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.
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AglaiaAglaia 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. |
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AlexAlex is studying Wildlife Ecology and Conservation BSc at University Centre Sparsholt. She is passionate about enhancing UK biodiversity, environmental education, and promoting mental wellbeing. As an education volunteer at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Alex aims to inspire young people to care for all species and individuals, including human beings. She believes outdoor environmental education is key to not only driving environmental change, but also to promote mental wellbeing.
Alex’s passion for mental health is driven by her own experiences with mental illness and inpatient treatment. Since then, Alex has completed a research project which explored how secondary schools could better prevent the need for psychiatric hospitalisation. She is enthusiastic to be a new member of Student Minds’ SAC, aiming to provide insight on current mental health topics. Alex is also hoping to inspire those currently struggling, by demonstrating that goal fulfilment and self advocacy is possible. In her spare time, Alex enjoys spending time with her family and friends, listening to music, and bird watching (both with and without her cat). She also enjoys keeping tree frogs as pets! |
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AriAri is the Campaigns Coordinator at Brighton SU, and brings experience from working at Royal Holloway SU as well as Reading SU's Women's Officer during her studies. She works closely with student activists and focuses on improving the experiences of underrepresented students on campus.
She also makes sure her Wordle streak is never broken and takes a stab at several very different hobbies! |
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CherylCheryl 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. |
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HannahHannah Catterall is the current elected Wellbeing Officer on the Student Executive Team at Leeds University Union (LUU). She graduated in July 2023 from the University of Leeds with a BA in Philosophy.
Hannah started her degree in 2020 during a 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 has given her so much purpose; the chance to give back to the Leeds student community is incredibly fulfilling for her. 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. 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. |
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IssyIssy is a recent graduate in the MSc Globalisation and Latin American Development which she studied part-time at UCL. She is currently the Postgraduate Sabbatical Officer at Students’ Union UCL, representing PGs (research and taught alike) in areas from research and education to wellbeing, support, and community.
Issy wanted to be a part of the SAC to highlight the issues PGs can face in higher education, in particular our disabled students, neurodivergent students, mature students, working students, and parents and carers in regard to their wellbeing and student experience. She is keen to use her knowledge and experience to impact change not only locally at UCL, but also nationally, building on the great work Student Minds has already done. Outside of work, Issy loves being busy playing/coaching dodgeball (yes dodgeball!), spending time with friends, running (or anything active), watching anything murder-mysteries, and completing puzzle books. |
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JessicaJess is a psychology student at King's College London. Currently on an undergraduate placement year, Jess works as a research assistant for a study exploring Functional Neurological Disorder.
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 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)! |
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KatherineKatherine (Katie) is currently an MPhil student and Standard Bank Africa Scholar at the University of Cambridge where she studies Basic and Translational Neuroscience. With a strong interest in clinical research and cross-continental healthcare volunteering experience, Katie is passionate about ensuring that scientific research guides policy and has a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals. She is a member of the Cambridge Young Adult Forum and assists in shaping this first specialist children’s hospital in the East of England by holistically considering the diverse mental, social and physical needs of children and young people.
In her spare time, Katie can be found running, dabbling in fictional writing, wandering around an art gallery or experimenting with recipes in the kitchen. |
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MahbubMahbub currently serves as a Campus Officer at Coventry University London, while pursuing a Global Business and Management degree as a final year undergraduate student. He has established a noteworthy reputation for effectively representing and advocating for students at all levels and has held this responsibility for the past two consecutive years.
Mahbub's involvement in the academic community extends beyond his studies, as he is a valued member of the University's Board of Study and the Quality in Learning and Teaching Committee, which is the highest-level academic committee at Coventry University London. He plays a significant role in steering the strategic direction of Teaching & Learning by sitting on the board alongside esteemed academic staff. Mahbub has a personal connection to mental health, stemming from his own experiences, and he is eager to work with Student Minds to address the mental health issues faced by international students. He recognizes the substantial impact that mental health can have on a university experience, especially for students who are far from home, and is committed to providing support for these individuals. When it comes to maintaining his own well-being, Mahbub finds joy in playing cricket, listening to podcasts and Ted Talks, and spending quality time with his friends and family. |
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RaquelRaquel is a recent Masters of Clinical, Social and Cognitive Neuroscience graduate from City, University of London. Having a particular interest in student mental health and wellbeing, Raquel has explored the way students from different ethnic backgrounds experience loneliness and anxiety in Higher Education. Before joining her current role as Representation and Democracy Coordinator at City Students’ Union, Raquel was Students’ Union Vice-President at Middlesex University with a main focus on implementing a university-wide approach to mental health.
Raquel is interested in the holistic and tailored approach to mental health, especially when identifying barriers to accessing and receiving support in the context of Higher Education. As a member of the SAC, Raquel will be able to learn from others and contribute to a space that could lead to positive changes to the student experience. To look after her own wellbeing, Raquel likes to sit by the sea, go for walks, play volleyball and watch Formula 1 (not so great recently as a Mercedes fan). |
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SamSam holds a BSc in Modern Languages (French and Spanish) from the University of Surrey and is pursuing an MSc in Psychology (Conversion). She switched to part-time studies in her second semester last year to prioritise her mental health and late neurodivergent diagnoses and will return in February.
She has experience working in a SEN (Special Educational Needs) school and is currently a crisis support worker. She’s volunteered for various support services, including working in co-production, and has a passion for creating inclusive and safe spaces. Sam is determined to empower individuals to advocate for their needs, especially when dealing with mental health difficulties in university and beyond. She has been open about her mental health with her university's "Let's Talk" Campaign and hopes to destigmatise discussions surrounding mental health. In her free time, Sam is a trauma-informed yoga teacher, loves travelling to new places, and enjoys drinking coffee. |
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SeiaraSeiara is a recent graduate from King's College London, completing her Master’s in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health. She is passionate about raising awareness about the importance of community, support and building self-autonomy. Her interest in Student Minds came from working in the Positive Digital Practices project as a Student Panel Member, co-creating resources to support mental wellbeing for distance, commuter and part-time students.
She is a founding member of the Applied Neuroscience Association, a non-profit organization spreading neuroscience for social good. As a firm believer in education, Seiara is the creator, producer and host of the Behind the Stigma Podcast where she speaks to researchers and clinicians in the field of psychiatry, neuroscience and psychology, to help translate scientific research into lay terms. In her free time Seiara loves raving, techno music and engaging in activities like circuit training, walks in nature, and reading. |
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ShivaliShivali has recently graduated from with an Economics Undergraduate degree from the University of Kent.
Shivali is passionate about advocating for improved mental health support and services and uses their lived experience and the voices of their peers to drive change at their University. This year, they founded Kent Mind Society to support Mind and Student Minds, create safe spaces for students on campus and destigmatise conversations around mental health. Shivali is keen to continue the great work of Student Minds through their role on the SAC to support students on a national level. To relax and look after their wellbeing, Shivali likes to go for walks, listen to music and crochet. They are currently working on making a crochet cloud-igan to wear! |
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SuhaibSuhaib is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in International Politics, Law & Economics at Middlesex University in London. As a member of SAC, he is passionate about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly among international students.
Additionally, Suhaib serves as an Academic Community Facilitator at Middlesex Students' Union, where he actively involves students in diverse activities, fostering a sense of community. He also is part of the Transport for London's (TfL) Youth Panel where Suhaib works on making London's transport sustainable and inclusive for the youth. During his leisure time, Suhaib enjoys discovering charming cafes nestled in the quaint streets of London. |
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TajTaj 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 |