Participants needed! Your Story Matters: Help Us Understand Disability and Harassment

eshitaamit

Hello👋

We’re a small team of MSc Forensic Psychology students from Kingston University, currently conducting an ethically approved study on the psychological impact of online and offline harassment experienced by young adults (18–25) with physical disabilities.

This area is still massively under-researched, and our mission is to raise awareness, and enhance mental health support, policy, and inclusion for disabled young people throughout the UK.

It’s simple—participants will take part in a 30 minute confidential interview, either online (Zoom/Teams) or in person.

Everything you share will be anonymous, voluntary, and handled with sensitivity and respect.

📩 To register interest, just fill in this short form or email me on:

👉k2439771@kingston .ac.uk

👉 https://forms.office.com/e/vrNPraaSbi

We encourage you to participate, Your story could help drive real change. 💙

Albus_Scope

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shashpeiris

This is such an important and much-needed area of research. While I haven’t personally witnessed this happening so far, I believe it’s crucial to raise awareness and understand the experiences of those affected. Wishing your team all the best with the study, I hope it helps bring real change. 💙

Kiki23

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1051336#Comment_1051336

Yes this really is an important area of research. What drew me to your original post was that It was only yesterday that I had found someones Youtube page on my algorithm about a beautiful, kind hearted young lady called Mikayla and her family (I believe she was 29) in America who made it her/their life mission to rescue and care for foxes but also helped other animals too. I think her youtube page is called "saveafox"… Anyway, I clicked on one of the videos as im a huge animal lover and was thinking I was going to see a cute animal video BUT was ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED to hear of her recent death! Apparently she was being bullied online which affected her mental health BADLY! I also learned that she had autism too. If you were to watch any of her videos ALL of them are so beautifully done and the love that these foxes had for her and vice versa was clearly visible to all…. Im still in shock and to be honest didnt think much more about it (on purpose might I add) until seeing this post today… One of the BIGGEST lies in the world is "sticks and stones will break your bones but words will never hurt you"……Her husband, small daughter and family are devastated….as are most of her followers and im sure her animals will deeply feel her absence too…Anyone could clearly see this young lady had a HUGE heart of Gold!!!! It just doesn't make sense in my 51 year old brain how people can be so very cruel…But thats part of the problem…That people don't realise what their cruel and insensitive "words" have done until its too late…..

eshitaamit

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1051349#Comment_1051349

Thank you for sharing this — I can feel how deeply her story affected you. It’s heartbreaking to hear this, especially given her love for animals and her followers. Online bullying can have devastating effects, and her story underscores the need for better understanding and support for vulnerable individuals in digital spaces.

You’ve also touched on something so important—many people don’t even realize what bullying looks like. It’s often minimized or dismissed as “normal” behavior, especially online, and that makes it even harder for those affected to seek help or feel validated in their experience. This is especially true for young adults who are just starting out in life—trying to find their voice and place in the world—and often don’t have the tools or support to navigate such experiences.

Thank you again for opening up and connecting this so personally. It really brings home why this work matters.

eshitaamit

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1051336#Comment_1051336

I truly appreciate your kind words and support — means a lot! Thank you for being so wonderful!

Shrutig9402

Disabled young adults are constantly left out of conversations around mental health and harassment. This study is finally asking the right questions. If you're 18–25 and want to make your story count, sign up. Real change starts with voices like yours.