'Together at SAMF' collaborates with the University of Warwick on student mental health initiatives
The University of Warwick has inspired an online module and an elective course in mental health promotion for students at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen. The 'Together at SAMF' research group has recently met up with the University of Warwick to discuss further collaboration.
In an endeavor to enhance the well-being of students at the Faculty of Social Sciences, the 'Together at SAMF' research group is developing student mental health initiatives inspired by the University of Warwick.
In the Spring of 2023, the 'Together at SAMF' research group launched an online module titled 'The ABCs of Mental Health at the University - An Online Course in Mental Health Promotion’. The module features a podcast series with 11 episodes and associated learning activities. The module was developed in collaboration with students and their voices and thoughts around mental well-being and related topics were incorporated into the dialogues with researchers and practitioners.
Inspiration from University of Warwick
The online module was inspired by a module named 'Understanding Well-being' which is developed and offered to students by the University of Warwick. In the pursuit of understanding the feasibility impact of these interdisciplinary mental well-being courses, the research group behind 'Together at SAMF' collaborates closely with Dr. Elena Riva, Head of the Institute for Advanced Teaching and Learning at the University of Warwick.
At the University of Warwick, Dr. Elena Riva has developed and conducted an in-class-room module called 'Understanding Wellbeing Theory and Practice' for several years. This inspired the Danish research group to also develop an interdisciplinary course for bachelor students at University of Copenhagen. This elective course is called ‘Mental Health Promotion in Theory and Practice’ and was offered for the first time in the Fall of 2023 by the 'Together at SAMF' research group.
Collaboration across universities
To further enrich their collaboration, the Danish research group hosted Dr. Elena Riva in late November 2023. During her visit, they explored preliminary findings related to the introduction and reception of the online course. They also delved into potential future collaborations aimed at bolstering mental health promotion efforts within the university among students and staff.
As part of her visit, Dr. Elena Riva met with key figures at the University of Copenhagen, including Vibeke Koushede, Professor and Head of the Department of Psychology, Peter Wick, Educational Consultant at SAMF, and Charlotte Meilstrup, postdoc og project lead of the ABCs of Mental Health, Department of Psychology. These discussions provided insights into the university's strategies for enhancing student well-being. Dr. Riva also attended a class on the elective course in Mental Health Promotion in Theory and Practice. This provided an opportunity for her to interact with students and gain insight into how the course is conducted at the University of Copenhagen.