Overview

This 4-hour course is specifically aimed at academics, including but not limited to postdoctoral fellows or researchers, professors, and lecturers, to demystify mental health whilst considering the unique challenges of the academic community.

Academics are essential to the Imperial College community, serving as a bridge between students and staff. They teach, research, and collaborate with others, driving the organisation's culture, wellbeing and performance. As academics, they face unique and complex challenges, including blurred boundaries between work and life, uncertainty around their future at work, and difficulty finding research grants and funding. These challenges result in high levels of pressure and increased vulnerability to impaired wellbeing, with almost two-thirds of academics reporting mental health issues at some point in their career.

This tailored Leading with Mental Health in Mind course for Academics will address these challenges and support academics in their role. Designed to challenge stigma, invite personal reflection and offer practical skills, it will give this vital community the tools and knowledge to spot the triggers and signs of ill-health, support someone experiencing mental ill-health at work, and act as an ambassador for mental health in Imperial. This interactive and practical course will be focused on taking a proactive approach which supports everyone to look after and optimise their mental health so that everyone can be at their best, even when the pressure is on.

Who is it for?

Academics, Researchers, Technical Staff and Learning and Teaching Staff.

Key areas

• A comprehensive understanding of the relationship between mental health, mental illness, and resilience (mental fitness)
• Greater awareness of how we can promote positive mental health at work, particularly among the academic community
• Skills to identify triggers and symptoms of low mental health and common mental illnesses
• An understanding of the ALI model to have confident conversations around mental health, supporting individuals & directing them to appropriate professional support
• Case studies and group activities to practice skills learnt within the context of the academic community
• Top tips for maintaining healthy boundaries as an academic to look after oneself and others more effectively