Living healthy and being well is important because it enables us to achieve the objectives we have set for ourselves and to feel happy. One should remember that being healthy not only encompasses maintaining our physical health but also includes maintaining our mental health. Unfortunately, there has been a general decline in mental health with academics being hit the most in the previous decade and notably during the Covid pandemic.

Academics tend to be susceptible because research is a famously difficult endeavour, with inherent loneliness, competitiveness and high-pressure conditions. Most of the time, there are no support networks, which leaves academics in the dark with no one to discuss their ideas and thoughts about being far behind where they would like to be. One person’s mental health struggle can be very different from another person. As such, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It is easy to blame the student for the mental health problem rather than addressing the institutional, cultural, and environmental factors that contribute to feelings of despair, depression and anxiety. Nevertheless, whatever a student can do to enhance their own mental health is extremely vital. Some of the activities that can be done include: increasing exercise; getting medical care and taking time away from research. Furthermore, self-care is frequently the only choice open to students because many large colleges are sluggish to embrace and implement changes within mental health or to recognise that it is an issue at the graduate level.

It is believed that asking for a shift in the nature of the discussion may result in an overall change in the present research culture. There is a need for an atmosphere in which you feel comfortable admitting that you are stressed and that your mental health is suffering. A new culture is needed where it is OK to say “no” when the task is excessive. Overall, this is important because the problem in Academia does not end with the completion of your PhD.

To raise awareness about mental health, its importance in professional development and how life coaches/counsellors can address it; biopatrika presents season 2 of their SciKonnect Podcast series. As our team of hosts interact with the guests to discuss important aspects of mental health, we hope that it will benefit all of us in some manner. If you require guidance or therapy, please contact Biopatrika or one of our guests.

Let us work together to create a network that can provide assistance to persons who are suffering in silence.

#biopatrika #scikonnect #podcast #mentalhealth #shorts