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#ResearchTip for universities marking #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
If you're hosting events or promoting mental health research while cutting support services, covering up bullying, and enabling toxic environments then you are part of a problem no amount of mindfulness can erase.
If you're hosting events or promoting mental health research while cutting support services, covering up bullying, and enabling toxic environments then you are part of a problem no amount of mindfulness can erase.
A university just emailed me about their amazing mental health research for #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
Staff at the same university make their team complete a register each morning at 8.30am to 'prove' they are ready for work.
No. I don't believe you care about #mentalhealth
Staff at the same university make their team complete a register each morning at 8.30am to 'prove' they are ready for work.
No. I don't believe you care about #mentalhealth
Another university is all over Twitter with supportive advice for #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
Staff there are required to be present, online, for up to 10 hours per day.
No. I don't believe you care about #mentalhealth
Staff there are required to be present, online, for up to 10 hours per day.
No. I don't believe you care about #mentalhealth
Perhaps this is your university. They've been sharing how staff are being sponsored for a #mentalhealth charity to run a marathon.
That uni has a HoD who's extended their usual bullying at work to harassing staff by phone.
No. I don't believe you care about #mentalhealth
charity to run a marathon.That uni has a HoD who's extended their usual bullying at work to harassing staff by phone.
No. I don't believe you care about #mentalhealth
How about those universities that share #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek affirmations.
And relocated all students, even those who'd made their homes on campus, offering no financial assistance or follow up to check they were okay.
No. I don't believe you care about #mentalhealth
And relocated all students, even those who'd made their homes on campus, offering no financial assistance or follow up to check they were okay.
No. I don't believe you care about #mentalhealth
Just so you know, universities, sharing links to websites about #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek is not remotely adequate for the kind of support and assistance your students and staff require.
If you think this is #mentalhealth care you're deluded.
If you think this is #mentalhealth
care you're deluded.
I suppose one bonus of #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek taking place online due to the pandemic is we're spared all the publicity seeking, empty gestures like alpaca petting, therapy dog visits and a one-free-yoga-session-per-staff-member.
For staff and students traumatised by abuse ignored or even enabled by their university, or dealing with institutional racism, sexism, ableism or other prejudice these occasional, meaningless, 'interventions' cause them even more anger and harm. They don't help #mentalhealth
Probably worth mentioning how universities give away just who they think are important when so many of them host jolly 'let's have a cup of tea and a chat!' #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek activities for students and academic staff but all other staff are left out.
You cleaners, security staff, porters etc. You've got no troubles! Your jobs are so safe and so easy. No #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek activities needed for you! Now mind that alpaca while I go and enjoy my meditation session.
Here's some more from me about why universities are continuing to fail staff during the pandemic https://www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/adequate-enough-and-some-days-we-wont-manage-even and https://www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-views-of-the-uk-2020-5-pandemic-is-amplifying-the-toxic-aspects-of-academia/
And if you're sick of the #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek platitudes and pointless publicity seeking from universities, while needing care for yourself, #BeingWellInAcademia is out soon and is there specifically to help you (and challenge toxic academia) https://www.routledge.com/Being-Well-in-Academia-Ways-to-Feel-Stronger-Safer-and-More-Connected/Boynton/p/book/9780367186708
TL;DR universities are making students and staff mentally unwell and refuse to accept the role they play in causing harm. #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek allows them to pretend they care.
Also, I'm sorry if I seemed dismissive about alpacas upthread.
Also, I'm sorry if I seemed dismissive about alpacas upthread.
Share with me all the tweets from universities promoting #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek contrasted with the reality of what life on campus is like.
If you don't want to be identified email me info at drpetra dot co dot uk and I'll add your examples anonymously to this thread.
If you don't want to be identified email me info at drpetra dot co dot uk and I'll add your examples anonymously to this thread.
