It is important not to compare yourself to carefully curated personas. Professional profiles and CVs are not the place to disclose weaknesses, failures, mistakes, or illnesses. However, these are elements of real life and we should not be ashamed of them. We are all human and imperfect. Mental illness in particular is stigmatised, and although attitudes are changing for the better, the damaging and unforgiving culture of perfectionism persists.

Mental health is important

Academia is particularly challenging because the processes require ideas to be rigorously challenged, debated, and contended. The constant critique from peers and self, the incessant rejections, and the competition for too few opportunities can all take its toll. Not all criticism is intended to be constructive, and can be symptomatic of the low self-esteem that festers in toxic cultures. And even when criticism of ones work is given with the best intentions, it is hard not to take it personally or act ungraciously. We need to forgive ourselves and others more often. We need to work together to empower each other and celebrate successes. We need to be mindful that successes and failures come and go, and are not a measure of our inherent worth or potential. We need to learn how to better give and receive criticism effectively and safely, and also to forgive when it is delivered clumsily. Most importantly, we need to advocate for mental health and wellbeing.  

Be part of the solution!

I don’t feel particularly comfortable talking about my own mental health challenges. However,  I try to be open where I recognise this might help others feel less alone or remove some of the associated stigma. Voices talking about how academic culture negatively impacts mental health are too often shunned as being ‘negative’ or ‘bitter’ and toxic positivity prevails. However, this does not foster positive change.

I really admire the advocacy work of Dr Zoë Ayres and encourage you  to support her advocacy work, follow her twitter account (@ZJAyres), and check out her webpage for more information and resources.

Check out these resources

• Dragonfly Mental Health (for academics)
• Academic Mental Health Series (by Dr Zoë Ayres)