Online peer support programs could address mental wellbeing concerns reported by Black students. The current evaluation explored Black university students' motivations, experiences, and perceived impacts of an online mental wellbeing peer support group (Black Students Talk [BST]) in England and Wales. We conducted two focus groups with Black Students Talk attendees and one with facilitators. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Three main themes and eight sub-themes where identified related to (i) Motivation: Impact of racism on mental wellbeing; (ii) Experience: The Black Students Talk experience; and (iii) Impact: Mental wellbeing outcomes. Benefits of Black Students Talk for Black students included advice, rest, validation, and support in the context of their race and experiences of racism. Facilitators had a unique sub-theme concerning their training and support. While racism exists at universities, online peer support can offer valuable benefits for Black students' mental wellbeing, social connectedness, and Black-only networks. Programs need to be co-created and delivered by trained Black students who receive reflective practice with a Black practitioner. Further independent evaluations using insights from survey and interview data are needed.
Keywords: education; ethnicity; mental wellbeing; peer support; qualitative research; race; social psychology.
Exploring Black Students Talk, a Mental Health Peer Support Intervention for Black University Students Researchers studied an online peer support group called Black Students Talk (BST) in England and Wales to see how it helped Black university students with their mental wellbeing. They talked to people who attended or helped run Black Students Talk and asked them why they joined, their opinions about the program, and what they gained from being part of the group. The researchers examined the information using a method called thematic analysis, which helps find important patterns and themes. The study found that racism negatively impacts on the mental health of Black students but Black Students Talk can be a helpful space for Black students to get advice, rest, validation, and support each other. The people who helped run Black Students Talk spoke highly of the much-needed training and support from Black professionals they received. Overall, despite one of the researchers also being one of the program designers, the study showed that online support groups like Black Students Talk can help Black students with their mental well-being and build social connections. To improve the study, the researchers would like to continue evaluating peer support for Black students using surveys and interviews.
© The Author(s) 2023.