Advance HE hosted Mental Health and Wellbeing: HE Minds Matter, a webinar in partnership with jobs.ac.uk in support of World Mental Health Day in 2022. The event was led by Advance HE’s Senior Adviser (Student Success) Dr Helen Webster, with participants Liz Morrish, Kalimah Ibrahiim (University of East London), Petra Boyton (The Research Companion), and Dr Allán Laville (University of Reading).
Is there a link between staff mental health and the lack of staff promotions in many higher education roles?
Liz Morrish and Kalimah Ibrahiim delved deep into the way UK universities structure their staff performance and management. Both Liz and Kalimah pointed out how academics should try to manage their expectations, do a good job in the best way they know how, and be a supportive colleague. They also discussed utilising techniques that the academic finds rewarding, rather than only looking at being promoted.
How do I negotiate workload in the face of work-related mental health issues?
Allán Laville spoke about his own experience by going through the formal process of occupational health to negotiate workload. Allán continued to say how it’s imperative to speak to someone you feel safe with or who will listen. He also said you should try to disclose mental health difficulties or a disability and push for written evidence to support any adjustments to your work so it happens once the arrangements are agreed upon.
