14669: A Silent Struggle: Mental Health Awareness in Academia

Mental health awareness is a topic of increasing priority for organizations globally and academic spaces are far from exempt. Academic spaces often present a large number of stressors such as administrative work, research pressures, constant deadlines, coursework, teaching, and increased competition. Acknowledging the importance of mental health in academia is critical to destigmatisation. Thus, engendering an environment in which both professors and students can thrive personally and professionally without the stigma that openly discussing mental health still entails. We believe that one of the most relevant ways in which this issue can be addressed is by encouraging those who are struggling to not be silent and to realize how by sharing, others might feel encouraged to imitate them, fostering the development of a community of care. The idea of this workshop is for attendees to find a safe space in which they can share their own thoughts not only about their experiences but to find ways in which the academic community can be one in which we can all feel safe from potential harm.