In 2013 and again in 2018, we lost two beloved members of our UC Berkeley academic community to depression and suicide. Following these devastating losses, we discovered that there is a mental illness epidemic in academia that stretches far beyond our limited experience. The reality is that we are losing too many brilliant humans to suicide, and countless others are needlessly suffering due to highly treatable mental illnesses, only made worse by the ongoing COVID19 pandemic.

To combat this, we decided to formulate a first-of-its-kind evidence-based comprehensive program to directly change the culture that causes stigma and prevents care seeking for mental health struggles. UC Berkeley’s MCB Department has bravely stepped up to be the first to work with us to implement this cultural overhaul.

This timely work is just the beginning of what will be researched, refined and translated into programs that will ultimately reach every sphere and discipline within academia and all societies.

About Dragonfly Mental Health:
Dragonfly Mental Health is a “by academics, for academics” global non-profit that cultivates excellent mental health in higher education by developing, deploying, and evaluating evidence-based programs for academic researchers. Dragonfly’s programming addresses the unique mental health challenges academics face through offering facilitated mental health literacy discussions, skills training workshops, anti-stigma presentations, and implementation of community organization systems. In only two years, Dragonfly has delivered over 150 programs to 20,000+ academics in 15 countries, fueled by 300+ volunteers. The initiative aims to create systemic culture change in professional training atmospheres across the globe.

Contact:
Name: Wendy Ingram, PhD
Dragonfly Mental Health
E-mail: [email protected]
https://dragonflymentalhealth.org/

Article: http://mcb.berkeley.edu/news-and-events/department-news/how-tackle-mental-health-epidemic-academia-new-approach-uc-berkeley

Press packet with photos:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13__36OmIDEyVqsh0eVyc561i1yMB4wqk?usp=sharing