We’ve collected some links for you from around the web. This week, we’re reading about taking a medical leave, what makes us “sick enough”, and how faculty can help.
Studying a Ph.D.: Don’t Suffer in Silence (The Guardian)
In this article featured in The Guardian, Alan Percy, Head of Counseling at the University of Oxford, writes about some of the common challenges faced by Ph.D. students, including perfectionism, isolation, and procrastination. He suggests possible coping strategies to manage these difficulties and emphasizes the importance of seeking support.
Research, Teaching, Service, and Depression (Tenure She Wrote)
In this blog post published on “Tenure, She Wrote”, an assistant professor shares her personal experiences with depression and highlights the important role faculty members can play in supporting the mental health of their students, mentees, and colleagues.
Taking Medical Leave: What I Would Tell Myself Now (Chronically Academic)
Stephanie, a Ph.D. candidate, writes about making the difficult decision to take a medical leave during graduate school after receiving the diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Although “the leap into medical leave” was fraught with anxiety at the time, she has come to appreciate the value of allowing oneself the time and space necessary for recovery. She hopes that her perspective can help others facing a similar decision.
The “Not Sick Enough” Stigma (The Mighty)
Many academics who struggle with mental health issues are able to function quite well in their professional lives despite experiencing significant psychological distress. Unfortunately, this façade can hinder people from seeking help that they very much need. In this piece featured on The Mighty, a writer who lives with mental illness explains why all people with mental health challenges deserve help and support, even though they might not “look sick” and their struggles aren’t visible.
Impostor Syndrome Is Definitely a Thing (Chronicle)
Impostor syndrome, the feeling that one does not belong in graduate school or academia, is more common than we might realize. In this article, Rachel Herrmann suggests some concrete strategies that graduate students can engage in to manage this feeling. She also discusses things faculty members can do to help their mentees and teaching assistants.
Academic Mental Health Collective 
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