2023 Summer Research Institute Report

EVENT REPORT

POSTSECONDARY STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH

SUMMER RESEARCH INSTITUTE June 13 - June 15, 2023 Toronto, Canada

GET IN TOUCH If you have questions about the Summer Research Institute or other deliverables of this project, please contact the project team at studentmh.research@utoronto.ca.

OVERVIEW ABOUT THE EVENT Letter from the Chairs Student Blog Post Event Objectives Attendees and Speakers

FROM THE EVENT Network Updates Student Engagement Supporting Student Researchers Priority Pitch Workshops Wellness Activities Outputs and Next Steps

ABOUT THE NETWORK Project Background

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STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH GLOBAL RESEARCH NETWORK

The three-day Student Mental Health Summer Research Institute brought together students, staff, and faculty from The University of Sydney, King’s College London, National Taiwan University and the University of Toronto to focus on research and knowledge mobilization development opportunities in student mental health research.

This event was hosted as part of a program funded by the University of Toronto Connaught Global Challenge Award to develop collaborative, interdisciplinary research partnerships with leading global student and youth mental health researchers, inclusive of students, from around the world.

CITATION INFORMATION Cleverley, K., Uliaszek, A., McCann, E., Rebello, G. (2024). Postsecondary Student Mental Health 2023 Summer Research Institute Event Report.

Inlight Student Mental Health Research. https://smhr.utoronto.ca/globalresearch-network/summer-research-institute/

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LETTER FROM THE CHAIRS

Dear Summer Research Institute Attendees, From June 12th to June 16th, 2023, the Global Research Network held its inaugural Postsecondary Student Mental Health Summer Research Institute at the Glenerin Inn and Spa and University of Toronto Mississauga. This event brought together students, staff, and faculty from The University of Sydney, King’s College London, National Taiwan University, and the University of Toronto to focus on research and knowledge mobilization development opportunities in student mental health research. Hosted as part of a program funded by the University of Toronto Connaught Global Challenge Award, the institute aimed to develop collaborative, interdisciplinary research partnerships with leading global student and youth mental health researchers, inclusive of students, from around the world.

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STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH GLOBAL RESEARCH NETWORK

Over the course of the institute, attendees participated in workshops, presentations, and wellness activities. The event was codesigned with our student hosts who facilitated and ran various sessions including the Student Engagement Recommendations in Research workshop. The following report highlights the outputs of the event, feedback from our attendees, and other relevant items.

As we wrap up the first phase of the Global Research Network, and prepare for our Graduate Student Exchanges, we take the time to reflect of the work accomplished thus far and the next steps to move this partnership and research in student mental health forward.

Sincerely, Amanda Uliaszek

Associate Director of Research, Inlight Associate Professor & Program Coordinator, Department of Psychological Clinical Science University of Toronto

Amanda A. Uliaszek, Ph.D., C.Psych Associate Professor Program Coordinator Department of Psychological Clinical Science University of Toronto

Kristin Cleverley

Director and Chair, Inlight Associate Professor, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing and Faculty of Medicine University of Toronto

Kristin Cleverley, RN, PhD, CPMHN Director, Inlight - Student and Youth Mental Health Research Initiative @UofT CAMH Chair in Mental Health Nursing Research Associate Professor, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing and Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto Senior Scientist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

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STUDENT BLOG POST

The Summer Research Institute was planned and hosted in collaboration with a Student Host Team. Read below an excerpt from their reflections on the event.

What were your biggest takeaways from the Summer Research Institute?

Our first takeaway was the importance of collaborations across partner institutions and students, staff, and faculty. All attendees shared valuable insights and experiences throughout the Research Institute, and it was evident that together our work was stronger. For example, for the final activity of the Research Institute, attendees formed small groups to create a research project pitch that addressed a key research priority in postsecondary student mental health. The project pitches were then shared back to the larger group and were meant to spark ideas for collaboration and to identify shared interests for future partnerships among attendees. It was incredible to participate in the small group discussions and to see the final presentations; both highlighted the quality of output that can result when a diverse group of passionate researchers coming together with a common goal.

Our second takeaway was how complex the mental health field can be. The unique characteristics of postsecondary student populations and their context can paint completely different landscapes of mental health, highlighting the need to value diverse perspectives in mental health research. What a faculty member emphasizes when discussing student mental health can be very different to that of a staff member or a student; this also extends to differences across institutions, faculties, and programs. What is most important is that all perspectives are valued and recognized when making decisions related to the project.

Acknowledging that we all come from a different standpoint can lead to respect and empathy that creates a safe and open space for consolidating ideas, generating solutions, and encouraging action – as well as mutual support in the long run.

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STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH GLOBAL RESEARCH NETWORK

How will your experience at the Summer Research Institute shape your interests and priorities going forward in this work?

We departed the event feeling empowered as researchers and confident in our ability to make an impact. Faculty and staff largely contributed to this sense of empowerment, as they valued and respected what we had to say and recognized our ideas as critical to discussions. They often opened the floor to us, listened attentively, asked questions, and helped us to articulate our ideas more clearly. Additionally, the Research Institute afforded us with a clearer understanding of how research can positively shape students’ experiences in postsecondary settings – specifically when all relevant groups are meaningfully involved.

Read the full blog post written by our Student Host team on the Inlight website.

Chu, F., Hobden, C., Ewing, L.. (January 2024). “Student leadership in a global research network event.” Inlight Student Mental Health Research. smhr.utoronto.ca/studentleadership-in-a-global-research-network-event/

Global Student Working Group Hosts Thank you to our Student Host team, Felicia Chu (National Taiwan University), Lexi Ewing (University of Toronto), Ta-Wei Guu (King’s College London), & Clare Hobden (University of Sydney).

Special thanks to Ruiqui Shen (University of Toronto), Grace Lee ( University of Sydney) and addtional members of the Global Student Working Group who supported planning of the event.

From left to right: Emma McCann (Engagement Lead), Felicia Chu, Lexi Ewing, Ta-Wei Guu, Clare Hobden, and Gloria Rebello (Project Coordinator).

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INSTITUTE OBJECTIVES

DAY ONE

OBJECTIVES 1. Create opportunities for knowledge sharing and networking among attendees from different partner groups and universities 2. Highlight the work of the Global Research Network to date 3. Map the current state of student mental health research across the globe

LESSONS LEARNED There is a need for common measurement and evaluation.

There is a need for shared language and definition of mental health (and well-being, and fitness, and illness) So much incredible work is currently being done in student mental health research!

OBJECTIVES

DAY TWO

1. Learn from student engagement experts and develop a position statement on student engagement in campus mental health research 2. Identify research priorities that the Global Research Network would like to lead on 3. Initiate conversations on how we can best leverage this network to create timely, sustainable, and impactful research collaborations over the next several years

LESSONS LEARNED Systematic shift is needed in viewing mental health as a clinical/pathological phenomenon to a sense of general well-being Respecting student experiences by ensuring students feel seen and heard, and respecting their individual experiences Keep in mind diversity; as discussion approach the global lens, it is important to include individuals from various backgrounds and acknowledge different experiences.

Paradigm shift toward end-user involvement - nothing about me without me; it is important to remember what issue we wish to address and who our research is aiming towards.

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STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH GLOBAL RESEARCH NETWORK

DAY THREE OBJECTIVES

1. Situate campus mental health research opportunities, including the upcoming exchange program, within the context of international student mental health and wellness activities 2. Discuss and develop final recommendations from students to support a global student research pipeline in campus mental health research 3. Co-create and pitch research project ideas based on selected research priorities for funding through Inlight next year

LESSONS LEARNED Inspire – Inspired to bring people together and make things happen Connect – Over the past few years while COVID was at its height, disconnection was evident as things were held virtually. Being in person brings that sense of connection back. Stepping into the student mental health space, we were trying to find our people. Found it in the students, and then brought the faculty and staff.

Challenge – What are the next steps for the network and for this field of research?

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INSTITUTE ATTENDEES AND PRESENTERS

The Summer Research Institute welcomed attendees from The University of Sydney, King’s College London, National Taiwan University, and a number of other hospital and community partners from around the world. Attendees included students, researchers, staff and student affairs professionals, academic and clinical leaders, and knowledge users from across these institutions.

Additionally, we were excited to welcome a number of guest speakers to situate our discussions in what is happening on our campuses, both locally and globally.

Professor Alex Gillespie Vice-President, University of Toronto Principal, University of Toronto Mississauga

Gwen Burrows Assistant Vice-President, International Engagement & Impact, University of Toronto

Leigh Spanner Student Minds, UK

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STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH GLOBAL RESEARCH NETWORK

We were excited to welcome partner presentations from each of the four original university partners, providing an overview of the latest in mental health innovation and research from their institution.

King's College London Presented by Dr. Nicola Byrom, SMARTEN Chair, Senior Lecturer in Psychology

University of Toronto Presented by Chris Bartha, Senior Executive Director, Student Mental Health

National Taiwan University Presented by Dr. Shu-Sen Chang, Professor and Director at the Institute of Health Behaviors and Community Sciences, College of Public Health

The University of Sydney Presented by Dr. Frank Iorfino, Postdoctoral Fellow and Early Career Researcher, Brain and Mind Center

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NETWORK UPDATES

To kick off the Summer Research Institute, an overview of the Global Research Network’s achievements was presented on Day 1.

Inlight Director and Chair, Professor Kristin Cleverley, provided updates on the project deliverables of the Global Research Network to date, as well as what is next for this collaboration. Later, Professor Catherine Sabiston outlined the methodology and results of the Global Delphi Consensus Study that was led in partnership with the network over the past year.

Global Delphi Consensus Study The Global Delphi Consensus Study identified shared international research priorities in postsecondary student mental health. An international expert advisory committee (EAC) comprised of one student and one faculty or staff member from each of the four partner universities was engaged to refine and consolidate an initial list of priorities identified through a literature review. In Rounds 1 and 2 of the study, three global panels of faculty and staff, and postsecondary students from around the world rated and refined the list to identify the final list of 38 research priorities. A list of the 10 highest rated research priorities for each panel was then identified. These priorities set the stage for many of the workshops during the Summer Research Institute.

Find more information on the Delphi Consensus, including viewing the student-developed methodology video.

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STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH GLOBAL RESEARCH NETWORK

Global Student Working Group To support the development of this global student mental health research network, a Global Student Working Group, comprising of 17 graduate and undergraduate student representatives from across our international university partners, was established in 2021.

The Global Student Working Group ensures student voice is centred at every stage of this partnership and supports the development of new international student collaborations and connections back to their respective networks.

Global Speaker Series

View recordings of previous speaker sessions.

Launched in 2022, the Global Speaker Series is an ongoing virtual series profiling the latest research in student mental health and wellbeing from around the world. This series provides the opportunity for faculty and students of all levels to present their interests and expertise in this interdisciplinary field. To date, over 578 participants from more than 21 countries have attended.

Student Driven Training E-Modules In collaboration with the Global Student Working Group and co-investigator group, the project team is developing a training curriculum to provide foundational knowledge for researchers and knowledge users interested in postsecondary student mental health. Two initial modules are directed towards students, introducing core concepts in mental health research. The third module is directed towards faculty and staff to build capacity in engaging students as research collaborators.

Access the training modules.

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STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

On Day 2 of the Summer Research Institute, all attendees participated in a session on effective engagement in post-secondary student mental health research.

The intent of the session was to (a) develop a shared understanding of student engagement in research, (b) develop a comprehensive list of the benefits of student engagement for students, researchers, institutions, and global communities, and (c) refine the proposed best practices in student engagement and discuss resources needed to adhere to the proposed best practices.

Based on principles of community and patient engagement in health research, student engagement is the meaningful and timely involvement of students as experts in the processes and decisions that will affect them. Meaningful student engagement requires students to be actively involved as decision-makers and valued partners in in project planning, delivery, and evaluation.

During the session, we finalized a comprehensive list of the benefits of student engagement across relevant populations and discussed best practices in student engagement. The list of benefits and best practices are currently in preparation for formal publication. During this discussion, it became evident that formal resources are needed in order for researchers and staff to implement the best practices in student engagement.

Examples of resources needed include, but are not limited to: Case studies of projects that have successfully engaged post-secondary students in mental health research.

Compensation guidance that recognizes student contributions while accounting for parameters that may exist within funding agencies.

Developing tiers of engagement roles to account for diversity in students’ availability, needs, and timelines.

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STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH GLOBAL RESEARCH NETWORK

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SUPPORTING STUDENT RESEARCHERS

Student pathways are an important consideration for the Global Research Network. During the Summer Research Institute, series of workshops were hosted to determine how our network could better support students to take on leadership roles in student mental health and research.

The purpose of the workshops was to produce a draft list of recommendations to enhance student interest and ability to hold leadership roles in student mental health research to be further refined and published by the Global Research Network. In the first workshop, a list of recommendations were developed by graduate and undergraduate student attendees. In the second workshop, all Summer Research Institute attendees reviewed recommendations through a consensus exercise with students, faculty, and staff.

The discussion resulted in 19 distinct, actionable recommendations that students, staff, and faculty agree will support the next generation of researchers focusing on post-secondary student mental health.

RECOMMENDATION THEMES

Communication

Supporting Professional Development

Increasing Awareness

Reducing Barriers

These results of this discussion are currently being drafted into a publication. We look forward to sharing more details about how the Global Research Network will continue to support the implementation of these recommendations.

Chu, F., Hobden, C., Ewing, L.. (January 2024). “Student leadership in a global research network event.” Inlight Student Mental Health Research. smhr.utoronto.ca/studentleadership-in-a-global-research-network-event/

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STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH GLOBAL RESEARCH NETWORK

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PRIORITY PITCH WORKSHOPS

Building off conversations and discussions from the previous Research Institute days, participants created project pitches to address a research priority identified by the Delphi consensus study. In groups, participants prepared a proposed research solution to their selected research priority.

Priority 33: Develop Collaborative and multidisciplinary approaches to student mental health and wellbeing.

There exists a lack of shared and collaborative focus on postsecondary student mental health with limited infrastructure to learn about mental health and outcomes. Currently, siloed approaches, initiatives and data lad to a narrow focus on single outcomes or domains. Collaborations and governance structures across disciplines and multiple stakeholders, can work together to develop framework and standards to address research questions such as “How can we leverage a collaborative approach to fill gaps in interventions and services?”.

Priority 26: Evaluate the effectiveness of early detection and interventions on mental health and wellbeing concerns in students The first project aim is to identify early detection strategies, focus areas, timing, evaluated outcomes, and student demographics for equity-owed students across partner universities. In the second stage, the project plans to collaboratively develop and evaluate a central, scalable early detection system with input from campus leadership, a student advisory group, and various university services, including student training and involvement in data analysis.

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STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH GLOBAL RESEARCH NETWORK

Priority 16: Evaluating the effectiveness of the whole university approach How does the “whole-university approach” outlined in programs like the UK’s University Mental Health Charter and Okanagan Charter translate globally? With a focus group and international Delphi study, we aim to better understand if these frameworks and principles of good practice can be applied as a global framework to address the needs of postsecondary student mental health and wellness. This will be done through engaging partners who are leading this approach around the world, global research teams and postsecondary students, faculty, and staff representatives. Students will have the opportunity to lead/co-lead the project, support recruitment, and be involved in knowledge translation.

Priority 26: Evaluate the effectiveness of early detection and interventions on mental health and wellbeing concerns in students The first project aim is to identify early detection strategies, focus areas, timing, evaluated outcomes, and student demographics for equity-owed students across partner universities. In the second stage, the project plans to collaboratively develop and evaluate a central, scalable early detection system with input from campus leadership, a student advisory group, and various university services, including student training and involvement in data analysis.

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WELLNESS ACTIVITIES

In partnership with the University of Toronto Recreation Centre, the Summer Research Insitute also included wellness activities that attendees participated in.

Morning Yoga Session On Day 2 morning, a gentle mindful yoga class was hosted by Nikki Robichaud from UTM’s Department of Recreation, Athletics & Wellness that incorporated a full body yoga sequence and finish with a guided relaxation and Savasana.

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STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH GLOBAL RESEARCH NETWORK

Afternoon Wellness Walk On Day 1, an afternoon wellness walk was led by the UTM Moves staff, part of UTM’s Department of Recreation, Athletics & Wellness. The walk took attendees along the Sawmill Valley trail featured a river and wildflowers through the established Erin Mills area.

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OUTPUTS AND NEXT STEPS

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE GLOBAL RESEARCH NETWORK?

The Summer Research Institute resulted in a number of outputs and future directions for the Global Research Network in Student Mental Health. We look forward to sharing more about next steps for our network to continue building on the incredible work to date over the next year. Please contact the project team for more information about this event and future opportunities.

The Global Exchange Program In 2024, we are excited to enter Phase 2 of our funding, which will focus on our Graduate Student Exchanges. These exchanges will provide hands-on learning and networking opportunities at a host mental health research lab. Trainees will also engage with the growing network of student mental health researchers around the world. This opportunity will provide the next generation of student mental health researchers with the shared language, competencies, and values to facilitate long-term global collaborations and high-impact research innovations.

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STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH GLOBAL RESEARCH NETWORK

KEEP IN TOUCH! To stay up to date with the Global Network and future opportunities to get involved, please join our mailing list.

You can sign up for our mailing list using the QR code or through our website at smhr.utoronto.ca/global-research-network/

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PROJECT BACKGROUND

With funding support from the University of Toronto Connaught Global Challenge Program, Inlight is developing collaborative, interdisciplinary research partnerships with leading global student and youth mental health researchers, inclusive of students, from CAMH, the Student Mental Health Research Network (SMaRteN) led by King’s College London, National Taiwan University, and the Brain and Mind Centre at The University of Sydney.

This global student mental health research network will identify, develop, and apply shared, research-driven best practices in student mental health and will support the next generation of student mental health researchers. This, in turn, will transform the way we understand and support student mental health, leading to high-impact and long-term global solutions and outcomes.

For more information about the Global Research Network in Student Mental Health, visit our website at smhr.utoronto.ca/global-research-network/

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STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH GLOBAL RESEARCH NETWORK

CGCA-AWARDED PROJECT TEAM UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

GLOBAL STUDENT WORKING GROUP

Professor Kristin Cleverley (Primary Investigator) Professor Norman Farb Professor Brett Ford Professor Benjamin Goldstein Professor Chloe Hamza Professor Bonnie Kirsh Professor Eunjung Lee Professor Tina Malti Professor Catherine Sabiston Professor Peter Szatmari Professor Amanda Uliaszek Professor Alison Freeland Professor Joanna Henderson Professor Meng-Chuan Lai Professor David Wiljer Professor Vicky Stergiopoulos Inlight Student Advisory Committee

Professor Ian Hickie Dr. Yun Ju Christine Song

Lexi Ewing (UofT) Gabriela Murphy (UofT) Katie Kwang(UofT) Rozina Somani (UofT) Orly Lipsitz (UofT) Dr. Ta-Wei Guu (KCL) Mahta Haghighat Ghahfarokhi (KCL) Dr. Poh Khuen Lim (KCL) Muftau Mohammed (KCL) Maeve Cairns (USyd) Clare Hobden (USyd) Samuel Hockey (USyd) Grace Lee (USyd) Claire Su (NTU) Man-fang Liang (NTU) Chieh Yu (NTU) Felicia Chu (NTU)

KINGS COLLEGE LONDON Dr. Nicola Byrom Professor Juliet Foster Jo Ward Julia Haas

NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY Professor Susan Shur-Fen Gau Professor Shih-Cheng Liao Professor Tai-Li Chou Professor Shu-Sen Chang Professor Sue-Huei Chen

PROJECT TEAM Gloria Rebello Emma McCann

Funded by the Connaught Global Challenge Award and additional Connaught Global Research Impact Program (C-GRIP).

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