Well-being & Mental Health
Academic culture is renowned for producing high levels of anxiety and insecurity in scholars, along with other mental health challenges. For scholars of colour and others from marginalised backgrounds, these challenges can be compounded by stress and emotional strain caused through experiences of prejudice.
At the top of this resource page you’ll find a list of contacts and websites for accessible and affordable mental health organisations that offer counselling and support. Many of these centres specialise in offering help to persons of colour and those from marginalised backgrounds.
Below you’ll find a list of resources that present practical advice and reflections on academic and social challenges to mental health, as well as concerns around general well-being and personal priorities such as family-life.
Mental Health Organisations (especially for SOC):
Black Minds Matter UK - “Black Minds Matter UK is a fully registered charity operating in the UK; connecting Black individuals and families with free mental health services- by professional Black therapists to support their mental health”.
The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network - “One of the primary aims of BAATN is to address the inequality of access to appropriate psychological services for Black, African, South Asian and Caribbean people, which is a well-recognised reality. Part of the solution to addressing this inequality of access is through the provision of events and training for our members, the entire therapy community and the wider public [...] Our overall goal is the individual and collective processing of our inner experiences for the benefit of ours and other communities, and to give a voice to a ‘black empathic approach’ in therapy and therapy education” (from “About Us”, BAATN).
“Crisis Services”, Mind (Includes some crisis helplines in the UK as well as suggestions for navigating crisis situations)
Disabled Student Allowances (YourDSA) - “Since 2011 yourDSA has aimed to promote and simplify the process of applying for the Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs). Our aim is to provide useful information for the process, covering application, assessment, and receiving this support”.
Muslim Youth Helpline - “Faith and Culturally Sensitive Support by Phone, Live Chat, Whatsapp or Email. We offer non-judgemental, confidential support 7 days a week, 365 days a year including bank holidays and Eid”
Nightline - “Nightlines are confidential, anonymous, non-judgmental, non-directive and non-advisory support services run by students for students”.
Samaritans - National Suicide Helpline
SANEline - “Need to talk? SANEline is open between 4pm to 10pm, 365 days a year.Call 0300 304 7000”.
Students Against Depression - “Students Against Depression is a website offering advice, information, guidance and resources to those affected by low mood, depression and suicidal thinking”.
Taraki - “We work with Punjabi communities to improve access to mental health awareness, education, social supports, and research through culturally safe activities to benefit individual and community-level care”. (Student-founded mental health organisation)
Working/Studying:
“Working During a Masters Degree” by Ben Taylor, and “Working During a Masters - How hard can it be?” by Chantelle Francis, FindAMasters
“Work and PhD: Finding the Balance” by Ana Kedveš, PhD Life Blog at the University of Warwick
“How to juggle a full-time job and a PhD” by Sarah Green, The Guardian
“Working and Studying for a PhD at the Same Time”, Postgraduate Studentships
“How to Manage Your Time as a Postgraduate Student” by Mark O’Brien, PostgraduateSearch; and “How to Make Postgraduate Deadlines Less Stressful”, Postgrad.com
Balancing Family/Career:
“Balancing PhD study and family life: what’s PG study really like?”, University of York
“The Superwoman Fallacy: what it really takes to be an academic and parent” by Melissa Terras, The Guardian
“To Parent in Person and Teach Asynch” and “Gone Funding Hunting Lately? Parenting, Pandemic, and Research-Related Travel” by Patricia Akhimie, Arizona Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies
“Parenting in Academia: Challenges and Perspectives”, European Geosciences Union
“Balancing your PhD and Your Relationship” by Charlotte King, Postgrad.com
The Parent Track: Timing, Balance, and Choice in Academia (2017), Christina DeRoche
For Childcare Support in the UK, See Also:
Childcare.co.uk - For Finding Childcare Providers in the UK
“Directory of Childcare Organisations UK”, Babycentre.co.uk
Managing Anxiety:
“Looking after Your Mental Health at University” by Jemma Smith, Prospects UK
“The Highs and Lows of A PhD” by Alastair Duthie, Pubs and Publications
“5 Ways to Soothe an Anxious PhD Student”, The Thesis Whisperer
“Seeking Counselling During the PhD” by Megan King, Pubs and Publications
“Managing an Anxiety Disorder in Academia is Full-time Job”, The Guardian
“How to Handle Stress, Anxiety and Overwhelm in Academia” by Cathy Mazak, Cathy Mazak - Academic Writing Coaching for Womxn