"There's so much work to be done in mental health"

Can you summarise your educational route to Cambridge? What did you do before starting your PhD?

I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology and Neuroscience at Otago University in Dunedin, New Zealand. Coming out of my undergraduate, I was unsure of my future plans; I was considering clinical applications, further study, or taking a break. I had an amazing supervisor for my honors project who encouraged me to apply for international grants and suggested that I let the world decide for me. In the way I least expected, it did!

Specifically, I attended an interview and the group I applied with didn’t believe in the importance of my research.

"The experience made me realise that there’s so much work to be done in mental health, particularly in people’s perceptions and beyond clinical practice. Whilst I didn’t get funding that year, it made me realise what I really wanted to do."

Tell me a bit about your experience of applying. How did it feel to receive a ?

I was reliant on funding to be able to complete my PhD, so I was ecstatic to receive the news. I honestly couldn’t believe it until I arrived in the UK. Navigating the application process for funding and the University can be difficult. I think having a clear idea of the supervisor and what your research project aims to address is key.

In hindsight, I’m glad I didn’t get the funding from the first agency, as the Commonwealth shares similar ideals and is more supportive of my project. For anyone applying, please be reminded things often fall into place, just put your best foot forward and it will work out.

Can you tell me a bit about your own PhD project and area of research?

"My project looks at children’s mental health and socioeconomic adversity, specifically addressing homelessness and family debt."

The project has two branches. The first will analyse how clinicians within Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services () conceptualise and respond to occurrences of socioeconomic adversities such as homelessness and financial insecurity.

The overarching objective of the second part of the project is to understand how socioeconomic factors, such as homelessness or insecure housing and acute family debt, shape clinical provision for young people in contact with mental health services. This part will address how sociodemographic, referral, clinical and safeguarding characteristics differ between young people with socioeconomic differences and the general CAMHS cohort.

You travelled for a couple of years after completing your undergrad degree. What was the biggest thing you took away from this experience?

Whilst I was waiting on funding opportunities, I took some time to travel and see different parts of the world. My biggest takeaway was that life doesn’t have to be linear; it is ok to enjoy the mountains, change it up and enjoy the smaller things.

"I learnt we should all be open-minded and inquisitive with a willingness to have our personal worldview challenged and ‘disturbed’. Through travelling, there are some things that are out of your control and these events can either hinder or propel us forward. The outcome largely depends on our perception, resilience, and adaptability."

These opportunities taught me more about myself than any schooling I had completed. They've changed the way I view my PhD and future endeavors.

How have you found transitioning back into study?

The transition back into study has been harder than I anticipated. As many people in the first year of their PhD will say, it’s a strange adjustment and tough to be self-directed. It’s a time to figure out projects, complete lots of reading, and get to understand your lab, so there are lots of adjustments all round!

Do you have any tips for new �鶹��Ӿ�international students in terms of settling in at Cambridge?

I think, at the end of the day, the college experience is what you make of it. When applying for Cambridge, I skimmed past the college section. I didn’t realise how the system worked, so I didn’t pick Wolfson. However, �鶹��Ӿ�has been a special start to my journey at Cambridge because people are so friendly and welcoming. Through Wolfson, I have been involved in a range of different groups which has been lovely. I look forward to being injury-free so that I can get involved in University Sport.

I have still found a few challenges that I am adjusting to. After travelling, I thought it would be a lot easier to adjust to PhD life and living in Cambridge. As much as I have found people to be lovely, I miss the outdoors and have found some cultural differences from home.

"For anyone moving, it isn’t easy, and I think there are perceptions that it’s easier than I experienced. In general, that is totally normal and it’s all part of the learning process."

What are your hopes for the future? Do you have any idea where your PhD might take you?

I’d love to create transformative social change, bridging the gap between research and practice. I hope to divide my time between both spaces in New Zealand. I believe that there is a large disconnect between what is being found in research and what can be put into practice. The public health sector in New Zealand is undergoing upheaval as they begin to address colonisation inequalities.

"I am excited about the opportunity to work with our indigenous population, using the outcomes of my PhD to create health systems that will support them."

I believe that for effective health systems, we need to listen to the people working in the health systems and acknowledge the research that identifies gaps within those systems. I hope my career will lead me to a place where I can work with all parties and make a positive impact on mental well-being for everyone.

This article is part of the 2024 Postgraduate Student Profile Series.

You can read about Cass's recent work as a student ambassador supporting the Aurora Education Foundation: an Indigenous Australian organisation that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to realise their full education potential.

You can learn about the funding available at Wolfson and how to apply to study for a postgraduate course at Cambridge University as a �鶹��Ӿ�College student on our website.

You can also read about studying at �鶹��Ӿ�as an international student.