I do not know if this is a merely coincidence, but over the last number of years doing research, I have seen hundreds of Junior Researchers (either undergrad, master of PhD students) suffering from blood- and energy-suckers coordinators. Perhaps, this is a consequence of multiple factors (such as history of academic world and labor western culture). The fact is, as a Senior Researcher or Project Coordinator, what do you do to avoid or to alleviate mental illness amongst your students?
I try to check in with them regularly and actually ask them about how they are going outside of their work... so they know it matters - and I'm aware that outside pressures affect them and their work, and vice versa. We try and make sure they socialise - among themselves, with the research group, and with others. We talk about work-life balance and try to make sure it *happens*. We try and negotiate goalposts and deadlines so they are realistic. We try and ensure they are linked in with other students for mutual support, and aware of avenues of formal support in case they want to access that.... none of these are extraordinary.
I try to improve myself in spiritual values and interact every moment in focus group or personal communication in order to motivate and be, such a kind, an example of change and adapt to any situation as they could.
By answering their questions well and by asking everybody's opinions. I do not accept any belittling from fellow students. I also give support when I feel it is needed. I explain things but their personal therapies they have to seek from the students' therapy center. I also create a good atmosphere during teaching. With young pupils when I suspect that some pupil is isolated I do a sociogram and anlyze it. The one who is isolated get my extra support.
What a question! I call it 'work-place bullying' and yes, it is real, it is a pain and it's causing a lot of mental distress!
If I was treated badly in a way that I don't like or feel comfortable with, SIMPLY I won't do it to anybody...
Mental health should be educated to students first since most of my peers don't take it seriously at the first place. I have seen my peers suffering from extreme stressful situations and yet don't feel the need to reach out to the college counsellor. As a student, my professors do know about the amount of pressure which is on us yet they can't do much since the education system rely on grades.
I am not a senior coordinator, but I have coordinated large groups of students and I have collaborated with young researchers worldwide. Understanding that everyone has his own pace of working, other commitments or assignments, personal life etc is of uttermost importance. If doing research becomes a chore, it is of no value to you as you lose the feeling of scientific curiosity, of exploring a topic for the advancement of science. During these difficult times, everyone is exposed to burnout and especially healthcare workers. Sometimes it is difficult to tackle hospital rotations/shifts and research activities.
Also if you are subjected to "mental bullying" in a certain group, maybe your place is not there and it is advisable for the sake of your own mental health to drop out and change the scenery. I never felt mentally bullied in research groups where there were many international researchers coming from different countries, cultures etc.
I regularly interact with them, talk to them beyond academics like sharing family situations, emotional issues and counsel them to get into order regularly.
Apart from academics, there are many issues directly affect us make our life stressful and making us mentally unstable.
Sharing stress is not a shame- should be taught to us at every stage of life.
In order to lead a normal healthy life, both physical and mental well being is essential - should be realized by all.
Anastasia Peshkovskaya,
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Best regards,
Israel Junior Borges do Nascimento ,
Thank you for starting this discussion. I followed all the answers with interest.
Best,
Anastasia
Important question, especially in current times. A combination of preventive and curative services is needed. This would include steps to identify problems early, such as regular screening, making services more accessible and less stigma-inducing, and ensuring follow-up; the last is quite challenging in my experience. There are several barriers to formal help seeking among students that ought to be sought and addressed.
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