Maya
Gallagher

Why NTU?

Why did you choose to study a postgraduate degree in Psychological Wellbeing and Mental Health?

"I did a Masters as I wanted to really apply what I had learnt personally and academically through my Bachelors at NTU. I also wanted to further my interest in gender and racial equality and environmental activism by engaging in NTU societies."

Why did you choose your course at NTU?

"I chose this course as I was unsure about which career path to follow after graduating. I chose a Masters with the intention of pursuing a career in therapy. However, this has now changed and through getting work experience externally and engaging more in NTU life through societies and events I have chosen to pursue a career in public relations.

This Masters course has definitely been the best experience for me. As I am familiar with some of the staff from my Bachelors, I just felt at home here. I knew that doing a Masters in Psychological Wellbeing and Mental Health would be the best fit for me."

What’s your experience been like of your course so far?

"Meeting the group of friends that I have made on my course has been the biggest highlight of all. I have really found people within on my course with similar stories to me. They have been a rock for me during my Masters and we all support each other whether it is personal, mental health or even just help with any coursework, assignments or exam prep.

I come from a mixed-race background and having such a diverse group on my Masters Course has been so important to me. Meeting people from different countries and different backgrounds has related to me on a personal level due to my Indian Heritage, and it has been so lovely to hear their own stories and journeys.

Also, my tutor for my Research Project has been a huge support and has constantly kept in contact regarding my progress with it so I don’t feel thrown in the deep end with such a big project."

Have you been involved in any projects or extra-curricular activities that have supplemented your studies run through NTU?

"During COVID-19, as I couldn’t be at university I volunteered in my local area for a community group called Mapesbury Mutual Aid. Here I worked with children who struggled with education. The group also set up a food bank as a result of the pandemic.

After I graduated, I started my Masters and joined the Sustainability Society and Woman’s Welfare Society. I have attended various events as a result and have met likeminded individuals with similar passions and goals to aid environmental and gender issues - starting discussion and conversations around difficult to talk about topics and attending activities to socialise with the societies themselves."

What does Social Sciences mean to you?

"Social Sciences for me are about understanding human behaviour and why we act the way we do in our everyday lives on an individual and societal basis.

My interests in PR are all about communication, and Psychology is the best way we as humans can sit down and have those hard conversations and debates. Being able to be a voice for individuals that have been treated as invisible is my hope when moving forward in my career as a psychologist.

My hope is that through a career in public relations, I can bring to light my passions and interests as well as effectively communicate to audiences that may not want to hear important messages. These could be a stigma around mental illness and mental health disorders which is still extremely prevalent with the reach and access to information through technology we have today.

There is still a lot of self-stigma and marginalisation for individuals struggling with the consequences and effects of their mental health disorders. Although acceptance has increased and people are more sympathetic than they were in the decade before, terms of ‘ill’ or ‘unstable’ are still thrown around in even today’s culture.

Mental health should be looked at on par with physical health."

Support

What do you think of the support available from tutors and staff at NTU?

"In my first year I had some difficulties with my own mental health and my tutor at the time was amazing. I have to say a huge thank you to my lecturers and my tutors who supported me with any additional support concerns and needs I had."

Outside of the Lecture Theatre

Did you find it easy to make friends and settle in at NTU?

"I have made lifelong friendships during my time at NTU. I will certainly keep in touch with my current flatmates and coursemates after I finish my studies."

The Next Steps

Why has networking been so important at university?

"My confidence and communication skills have drastically improved since I was 18. I wasn’t so much thrown into the deep end at NTU but just more gently pushed to prepare me for future career aspirations and being able to network and connect with individuals through conversations or even on social media in an effective way."