Resources Resources on Mental Health
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You don’t have to be‘crazy’ to be doing a PhD!
We are progressively seeing the signs of a burgeoning mental health crisis in academia. In this invited article, Hina Lateef Nizami writes about why we need to break free of the habit of normalizing poor mental health and burnout in academic circles.
Wake up academia, it’s a brand new mental health patient
Next in our series on mental health, Debdutta draws insights from his own experiences in graduate school to suggest what institutions and individuals can do to improve mental health conditions within academic spaces.
Speaking up: Ending the culture of silence
In this next article in our mental health series, Zill-e-Anam discusses the culture of silence that prevents many researchers and students from discussing their mental health issues, thus compounding the problem and delaying treatment for those who need it the most.
Sowing the seeds of a long-term mental health study in an Indian population
In addition to limited awareness about mental health in the general populace, a scarcity of large-scale clinical investigations has also been holding back mental health research in India. Recently, three Bengaluru-based research institutions have joined hands for a study that will last two decades and create an extensive resource base of scientific information related to mental illnesses in an Indian population.
Mental Health Fiesta at New Delhi
On 4 October 2019, the Mental Health Foundation (India) and Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, organised a Mental Health Fiesta. Hina Lateef Nizami, who attended the Fiesta, writes about what set this event apart from other mental health awareness sessions.
Lessons from a mental health workshop in an undergraduate college
An important component of fighting the battle against the mental health epidemic is creating accessible forums to raise awareness. Charu Dogra Rawat (Assistant Professor, Ramjas College, University of Delhi) and Sagnik Das (Student, Ramjas College, University of Delhi) write about a two-day workshop in their college which brought to light many of the mental health-related issues that students face, and allowed them to collectively brainstorm solutions on an open platform.
COVID-19 and Mental Health: “It is important to bring in a sense of cohesiveness”
A catastrophe at the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic affects us not only at the physical level but also leaves an indelible imprint on our mental well-being. We spoke to Biju Viswanath, faculty at the Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, about possible mental-health-related consequences of the present situation and what individuals and families can do to cultivate resilience.
Tackling a mental health crisis during a global pandemic
While the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic are most visible at the level of global health and economy, it is exerting an unseen yet critical impact on our mental well-being as well. In this article, Debdutta discusses the various ways in which the pandemic can prey upon our mental health, and some small steps that can help one stay connected and grounded during the crisis.
Hidden in plain sight: A mental health crisis in academia (Part 1)
Debdutta Paul, Annapoorna P K & Shreya Ghosh
While the importance of addressing mental health concerns within academic circles has been recognized time and again, progress has been hampered due to many factors, not the least of which is a paucity of data. This article is the first in a two-part series where we will examine the status of mental health awareness within Indian academia and discuss possible strategies and interventions to improve the situation.
Hidden in plain sight: A mental health crisis in academia (Part 2)
Debdutta Paul, Annapoorna P K & Shreya Ghosh
While the importance of addressing mental health concerns within academic circles has been recognized time and again, progress has been hampered due to many factors, not the least of which is a paucity of data. This article is the second in a two-part series where we will examine the status of mental health awareness within Indian academia and discuss possible strategies and interventions to improve the situation.
Reports
CACTUS Mental Health Survey Report
Last October, Cactus Communications launched a large-scale survey dealing with mental health and wellbeing in academia. With the support of IndiaBioscience and several other research-associated organizations, the team set out to understand what a more positive work culture would look like for researchers globally. After running the survey for 9 months and receiving over 13000 responses, Cactus has released a comprehensive report compiling the survey findings and insights. We invite you to download a free copy of the survey report and peruse the key findings.