Mental wellbeing in academia
Not enough has been done to support students during the pandemic
I think we can all agree that the last 18 months have been extremely tough. The lockdown effects of this pandemic have been particularly challenging on everyone’s mental health, likely in ways that many of us don’t even realise. This is my experience.
After taking a two-year break from education, I returned to the world of science in September 2020 to study a master’s degree by research in chemistry, which involves working full-time alongside PhD students in a research lab while simultaneously attending lectures, studying and sitting exams.
Shortly before starting my degree, I felt my mental health was starting to suffer. As someone who has struggled with anxiety and depression, I knew that I needed to seek help. Therapy had previously guided me through a very difficult time, so I contacted the doctors in the hope of being proactive. Unfortunately, I was met by a 7-month waiting list. From my past experiences, I was aware that a long wait for NHS therapy was to be expected. So, although I felt disheartened, I wasn’t surprised.