Mental Health

Do you have a brain?
Do you have a brain?

Then you have mental health!
Just like any other organ in your body…
Your brain can experience variations in wellness.

We ALL have mental health
Misperceptions, fears of social consequences,

discomfort associated with talking about these
issues with others, and discrimination all tend to
keep people silent.
We ALL have mental health
On January 16, 2013,
President Barack Obama
directed the DHHS and
the U.S. Department of
Education to launch a
national conversation on
mental health to reduce
the shame and secrecy
associated with mental
illness.
What is mental health?
Mental Health is a state of well-being in which an individual
realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal
stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a
contribution to his or her community.
Affects:
• How you feel
• How you act
• How you handle stress
• How you relate to others
• How you make choices
What is mental illness?
Mental health problems can
affect your thinking, mood, and
behavior.
Some can occur for a short
time, and some occur over an
on-going time period. These are
real and diagnosable health
conditions that affect and are
affected by functioning of the
brain.
Types of mental health problems
• Anxiety Disorders
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Eating Disorders
• Substance Use Disorders
• Mood Disorders
• Personality Disorders
• Psychotic Disorders
Mental Health Depends On…
Overall Health—overcoming or
managing one’s disease(s) or
symptoms and making
informed, healthy choices that
support physical and emotional
wellbeing.
Home—a stable and safe place

to live.
Mental Health Depends On…
Purpose—meaningful daily activities,
such as a job, school, volunteerism,
family caretaking, or creative
endeavors and the independence,
income, and resources to participate
in society.
Community—relationships and
social networks that provide
support, friendship, love, and hope.
Why Talk About It?
When we promote mental health, we help people
improve their health and wellbeing, have positive
self-esteem, and to be valued and contributing
members of their communities. Mental health
promotion also helps build resiliency in people,
helping them cope better during life’s challenges.
Home/Purpose/Community – largely transient

for young researchers!
Why Talk About It @ CFA?
Why should the community care? It's not only
because trainees are suffering; it's also because
intellectual health is linked with psychological
health. Most of us are at our most productive
when we're well adjusted—when we feel
respected, valued, and confident in our
potential. Unfortunately, that describes a rather
small fraction of the science-trainee population.
Evaluation questions included:
• My advisor ...
∘ Provides mentorship • My work-life balance is
∘ Provides ample support ∘ Healthy / Unhealthy
∘ Has a positive emotional impact
∘ My mentor is an asset to my
career
∘ I feel valued by the mentor
Behavioral Health Equity
Racial and ethnic minorities bear a greater
burden from unmet mental health needs.
Lack of cultural understanding by health care

providers may contribute to underdiagnosis
and/or misdiagnosis of mental illness in people
from racially/ethnically diverse populations.
Behavioral Health Equity
The rejection of lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, transsexual, queer, questioning,
intersex, asexual, ally, pansexual (LGBTQ+) youth
by their families, or by their peers and
community, can have profound and long-term
impacts, including depression, use of illegal
drugs, and suicidal behavior.
Mentors need awareness
Stigma can stop people from self-identifying
because they are afraid of how they may be
perceived and treated.
• Mental health problems are at times revealed

in the workplace during a crisis.
• Open communication and informed attitudes
are the best tools any mentor can have.
What can we do?
• Pay attention to language – awareness of the words we use that contribute
to stigmatizing mental issues
• Rethink “sick days” – the mental health day is real
• Tap the Wellness Resources – acupuncture, exercise such as walking,
bicycling, swimming, tennis, and anything that will keep you moving.
• Get help early. The sooner you get help, the sooner you will bounce back.
• Don't be afraid to tell your fellow students or colleagues, especially those
close to you.
• Talk to your advisor and let them know what is going on.
• Have more discussions - a start to removing stigma.
• Talk about your feelings. - It's a release valve. You will be stronger for it.
• Educate faculty who encourage unhealthy work habits
Basic human understanding and compassion

wellness Illness

Mental Health

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Do you have a brain?

Do you have a brain?

Your brain can experience variations in wellness.

Misperceptions, fears of social consequences,

Home—a stable and safe place

Home/Purpose/Community – largely transient

Lack of cultural understanding by health care

• Mental health problems are at times revealed

Basic human understanding and compassion

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