As we witness an ever-changing landscape ahead in the US and across the world, we have lately been asking questions about what this means for scholarly publishing and how this is going to impact our working, as well as our personal lives.

In September 2023, SSP created a presidential task force to prioritize mental health and support within the scholarly communications ecosystem. Past President Randy Townsend reflected on his personal experience of loss and the epidemic of loneliness. Arguably, society is becoming more lonely and isolating for marginalized groups and we can all consider how we are showing up as a community. The Mental Health Task Force has since highlighted different insights into mental health and mental wellbeing since 2023 with a number of posts looking at how we can support ourselves and each other at work.

Here are some of my highlights for workplace mental wellbeing:

Tips for Publishers from the Center for Workplace Mental Health

Simone Taylor interviews Emma Jellen, Interim Director of their Center for Workplace Mental Health, discussing tips and tools for Publishers to support employees including leading with boundaries and robust employee benefits that give them the ability to work effectively. Supported employees are usually well performing and happier employees. The post outlines key areas for employers to consider when thinking about the work environment and initiatives which can ultimately create a positive impact for everyone. The Center for Workplace Mental Health also offer resources for all including videos, case studies and toolkits.

The Mental Health Effects of Bullies in the Scholarly Publishing Workplace

Workplace bullying is unfortunately an experience many of us know all too well, including myself. In 2024, the World Mental Health Day theme was ‘it is time to prioritize mental health in the workplace’. Jonathan Schultz has taken this as an opportunity to highlight the impact of bullying within the scholarly communications industry. This post looks into the hierarchy and structure of the industry and the complexities of colleagues/senior members who are technically not employees as well as the power imbalance with editors and authors – and what that means for those who work with them. Ending with a call to action for employers and those who are affected, it is an important read for anyone concerned about themselves or a colleague in this situation.

An Introduction to Psychological Safety

The Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP) and C4DISC, in collaboration with the Mental Health Task Force, presented a webinar on psychological safety in the workplace. Sarah Bay, carefully outlines what psychological safety is and how it is not about a lack of discomfort, as well as the human-first approach in the workplace and what that means for employees and employers alike. This post offers advice on how to engage psychological safety within teams and how to put it into practice.

Building a Supportive Workplace: Reflections on Mental Health Initiatives and Adaptation

Sharnie Dunstall is a Mental Health First Aider who says “[it] isn’t just about getting the right training, it’s about creating a culture of understanding and kindness throughout our organization. It’s about recognizing that everyone’s mental health journey is totally unique and valid.” This post highlights the uniqueness to everyone’s mental health and mental wellbeing journey and how that can mean different things to different people. However, we can all do something to be supportive, whether it is someone having a bad day or a mental health crisis.

Leading with Mental Health Awareness

Leading is a skill and to lead with a human-centered understanding is something we can all learn. Lily Garcia, Silverchair’s Chief People Officer, gives us an insight into how one can support by being aware of the current climate and policies; offering compassion in the workplace; and engaging on a holistic level, with tips on how to consider performance related issues and investigate with care on whether it is a mental health related work issue. Even if you do not consider yourself a leader, this is a helpful check point on how we can all be actionable on how we work with others.

What is Racial Battle Fatigue?

“Racial Battle Fatigue” (RBF), coined by William Smith, is a cumulative outcome of a natural stress response related to race triggered by distressing and emotional conditions. Maribel Gomez, walks us through what RBF is and how it can present itself among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color through various medical conditions, particularly mental health conditions including but not limited to depression, stress and anxiety. Racial trauma can happen systemically or interpersonally, including through impacts of stereotypes. This post offers support on how to navigate racial trauma and prioritize self-care.

Occupational Burnout Prevention and Recovery

January’s post discussed the prevalence of occupational burnout. We have seen a rise in discussion around burnout and what that means for sustainable and safe work environments. Kali Jaye takes us through her journey of burnout within the scholarly communications industry, the root causes of burnout, and advice on how to manage and mitigate the effects of occupational burnout. The post offers practical tips on how to check-in with yourself and what you can do when you need to reset.

The full mental health collection covers a range of topics from personal experiences to calls to actions. As a member of the Mental Health Task Force, it has been inspiring to see so many people share their experiences and insights with the intention to support others and build the community within the scholarly communications industry. In the vein of building community the task force has evolved into the Mental Health Awareness Community of Interest (CoIN), which is open to join. We would love to have more contributions and sharing of experiences for Mental Health Mondays, please email us to join the conversation: scholarlykitchen@sspnet.org.