Young Expert, Ketan, tells us about his experience of joining one of our projects Youth Advisory Boards. Specifically, the Bootstrap Bootcrew
Hello 🙂 My name is Ketan, I’m from England, UK, and I’m currently pursuing a Master’s in physical education.
Alongside my studies, I am also a professional discus thrower, and sport has played a big role in shaping my discipline, mindset, and perspective on health and wellbeing. I have a strong interest in youth development, wellbeing, and sport. I recently joined as a Young Expert in the Bootstrap Youth Advisory Board, which is part of Euro Youth Mental Health. Becoming part of this project has been an exciting opportunity to connect with other young people who care about mental health and want to contribute to meaningful discussions and change.
Mental health is something that affects everyone, especially young people navigating education, careers, and personal challenges. Despite this, many young people still feel that their voices are not always heard when decisions are made about mental health policies or services. One of the reasons I joined the Bootcrew was because it creates a platform where young people can actively participate in conversations about the current situation of youth mental health.
Since joining, the Bootcrew meetings have been one of the most interesting parts of the experience. They have brought together young people from different backgrounds to discuss how internet usage is affecting the mental health of young people today. Another interesting part of the experience was exploring how digital habits, social media, and online environments shape the well-being of young people. As a young expert, we worked together to analyse the challenges young people face online and discussed practical ways to promote healthier digital behaviour.
Another highlight of the project has been the people I have met through it. The Bootcrew includes young people from different countries, cultures, and professional backgrounds. Everyone brings a unique perspective to the discussions, which makes the conversations richer and more insightful. It has been inspiring to see how motivated everyone is to improve the wellbeing of young people and to ensure that youth voices are represented in conversations about mental health and digital environments.
For me personally, joining the Bootcrew has been both a learning experience and an opportunity to contribute. It has allowed me to understand better the challenges young people face in the recent digital age and how collaborative efforts can lead to meaningful solutions. As someone who comes from a sporting background, I strongly believe that wellbeing, whether physical or mental, is essential for young people to thrive.
Overall, it has been a really engaging and meaningful experience. Looking ahead, I hope this project continues to grow and reach even more young people. I also hope that the ideas developed through the great initiative, including the digital tools and policy recommendations, can help create healthier online environments and encourage more balanced internet use among young people. Being part of the Bootcrew has been a rewarding experience so far, and I am looking forward to continuing this journey and contributing to the important work being done by Euro Youth Mental Health