STRIVING FOR MENTAL WELL-BEING IN ACADEMIA

Mental health is a pervasive concern in university settings, further aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This intersection of circumstances has intensified the dilemma of balancing academic productivity, personal lives, and mental well-being among students and faculty alike. Factors such as uncertainty, financial stress, disruptions to social networks, burnout, and the current social/political climate significantly impair mental well-being. Institutional academic cultures often contribute to these mental health challenges, suggesting that these concerns are not purely individual but systemic within academia.

In my talk, I will explore these contributing factors to mental health crises among faculty and students and suggest proactive and responsive interventions. These interventions include individual stress management techniques and reconsidering how we structure our courses and departments. If we are to effectively address mental health concerns in academia, it is imperative that we collectively work toward creating a supportive environment.