Dr Maria Michail (GR) is an Associate Professor and leads the suicide and self-harm research group at the Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham. Her work focuses on understanding the processes that underlie self-harm and suicidal behaviour in young people with multiple vulnerabilities; and, using this knowledge to develop evidence-based interventions and policies to improve young people’s care and outcomes. Maria has an extensive track record in citizen science and youth engagement throughout her academic work.  

Niyah Campbell (UK) is the Senior Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Lead for the School of Psychology, University of Birmingham. His work has been instrumental in developing practices surrounding involvement of experts by experience in research within the Institute for Mental Health, most notably through setting up and sustaining engagement with the IMH YAG. Campbell’s influence extends to with other areas with academia, with notable examples being engagement with the National Centre for Co-ordinating Public Engagement and Wellcome Trust. 

Rowmell Hunter (UK) I am a part of the Youth Advisory Group at the Institute of Mental Health, University of Birmingham, UK. I am passionate about mental health and empowering young adults because we live in a world where it is hard to speak out especially being from an ethnic background. I also work as a Christian theatre actor that make shows about social issues that impact young adults and how we can tackle it. This is important to me as people don't get a chance to share their message or make their stamp in the world because they don't feel heard or appreciated. 

Zaynab Sohawon (UK) I am ZeZe, a 22-year-old young person from the Youth Advisory Group at the Institute for Mental Health. I have lived experience of autism and psychosis. I was sectioned for 4 years as a teen. As a result of working with the Youth Advisory Group, I have co-authored papers, become a peer researcher, and engaged in public speaking events. I am now CEO of my own mental health charity that I have set up and have raised just over £80k. YAG has been transformative and was the catalyst I needed to change my life and the world around me. 

Jamie Morgan (UK) is a youth mental health advocate who has made significant contributions to the field of mental health science. Notable contributions as an IMH YAG member include co-presenting #MyGPGuide at the IAYMH Conference 2022, Copenhagen, providing a keynote speech on involving young experts by experience in mental health research at the PsyYoung Conference 2023, Geneva and co-authoring an academic article (2023) journal on youth partnership in suicide prevention research where he reflected on his experience of being involved in the design of #MyGPguide. Jamie works as Lived Experience Advisor within the Wellcome Trust's Mental Health Team. 

Beckye Williams (UK) recently progressed from the role of IMH YAG member to Youth Involvement Officer for the Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham. Having transitioned into a professional post, her role is to provide lead support on youth involvement practices within the IMH. In her time as a YAG member, Williams was directly involved in the design of #MyGPguide notable activities she was involved in co-leading teaching sessions for Medical Students about the importance of taking a person-centred approach to supporting young people with mental health challenges. 

Kalen Reid (UK) has a professional background in working with children and young people in a variety of contexts, including in research. They lead a Youth Violence Intervention team at a Major Trauma Centre where their main responsibility is to manage youth workers who specialise in supporting those who have experienced serious youth violence and other forms of trauma. Kalen is a passionate supporter of participatory and liberatory practices in all spheres of their work and has worked directly with IMH professionals to co-author and disseminate research on self-harm in eating disorders.