National Young Person's Mental Health Research Award
The Young Person's Mental Health Research Award is an initiative by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Wales to promote research, innovation, and awareness of Mental Health problems across Wales.
The national programme is designed to encourage young people to undertake and submit research focussing on current Mental Health issues. Winners will be selected based upon the originality of their research and the quality of their project presentation.
Expressions of interest for 2025/26 will open in September.
Timelines
- All expressions of interest should be received by 12 December 2025.
- Entries must be submitted by 20 February 2026.
- Winning entries will be announced in March 2026.
FAQs
Here is further detail on the award, whilst the further information and forms will be distributed directly once expressions of interest have been registered by completing the light blue box on the right of the screen. Any further queries can be directed to Annie Fabian.
The awards are open to any students in years 12 and 13.
There is no limit on how many students’ work can be submitted from an individual school.
Whilst the Royal College of Psychiatrists Wales is the professional body which primarily represents doctors, we are keen for this new award to be open to any person who has an interest in mental health. Entrants could include those who are curious about a career in a healthcare profession, have an interest in scientific analysis or have a more personal connection to current mental health issues.
Students must submit a completed abstract submission form alongside a written methodology and results.
The discussion section of the research can be submitted in any format chosen by the student(s). For example, this could be a written report, PowerPoint presentation, poster, video, podcast, or a combination.
Submissions can be received in English or Welsh.
There are a number of different options, and much depends upon the topic of research being considered.
Some examples include literature reviews, audits, interviews or reports.
Winners will be selected based upon the originality of their research and the quality of their project presentation. The judging criteria will be supplied to entrants.
The winners’ work will be displayed at the Academic meeting of the Welsh Psychiatric Society, National Centre for Mental Health and Royal College of Psychiatrists Wales. This is scheduled for March 2025.
Shortlisted entries will also be displayed on the College’s website.
Submissions can be received as an individual, or as a group (maximum five people)
We'd ask that interest is registered by completing the digital form in the light blue box, and all papers will be sent directly.
2021 Winner
Here is 2021's winning entry. The linked press release contains the study undertaken by Julia.
Frontline healthcare workers suffered from mental health difficulties in first few months of pandemic
Julia Bugelli, a sixth form student from Ysgol Glan Clwyd was the first recipient of our National Young Person's Mental Health Research Award for 2021/22.
Julia was be formally presented with her award at our Winter Conference with the Welsh Psychiatric Society and the National Centre for Mental Health on the 2nd December 2022.
Her study is accessible through the linked press release: Frontline healthcare workers suffered from mental health difficulties in first few months of pandemic – unique study by Welsh student reveals
Whilst Julia's study and announcement precedes the announcement of this programme, her study and report can be seen as an example of how young people may wish to report and present findings.
