Mental Health Awareness Week (May 11 – 17 in the UK) is a time to reflect on how we are approaching and advocating for mental well-being and mental well-health. This year, the theme is “take ACTION.” Each year, the theme is a call to drive focus on a particular topic, and this year is about taking action for yourself, someone else, and for all of us. Awareness is vital; however, we must move toward practical change, to step out of discussion and into doing.

We can use this week to reflect on what action we have taken as individuals and in the community over the past year — be it personal or organizational change. In light of this, let’s revisit the Mental Health Monday posts in The Scholarly Kitchen with calls to action, practical tips, and tools for “taking ACTION.”

Mental Health Awareness Monday — Sing the Songs That Bring You Joy

A conversation between Sylvia Hunter and Anna Jester looking at the cultural practices around mental health awareness, boundaries, and finding balance. This post gives an open look at personal experiences of creating systems, building community, and taking part in activities to support one’s mental well-being. Sylvia’s choir experience is an example of carving out space for joy — and research shows that singing in groups can have a positive impact on one’s mental health.

Mental Health Awareness Mondays — The Courage to Be Uncertain: A New Approach to Impostor Feelings

Imposter syndrome is a well-known phenomenon and, at times, a devastating mental state, which, as the post suggests, can affect anyone. Although not a mental health condition itself, it can lead to heightened anxiety, depression, and continued stress. Here, the guest bloggers discuss their experiences within the scholarly community and how they have worked through these feelings. This is a worthwhile read for those who are feeling overwhelmed by imposter syndrome and looking for ways to navigate it.

Mental Health Mondays: Occupational Burnout Prevention and Recovery

Occupational burnout has been on the rise since the pandemic, with a shift in our working models and many having to readjust their work-life balance. This post is a deep dive into the growing concern of occupational burnout and how one might find themselves in a place of exhaustion and mental overload. We are offered an emotive personal insight into occupational burnout, which will resonate with many readers. There are some great practical tips and suggestions on how to break the cycle, create a new foundation for work-life balance, implement new systems, and what to consider in the long term.

Mental Health Awareness Mondays – Ask the Mental Health Editors: Part Two

Ask the Mental Health Editors gives us an insight from the researchers and medical professionals within mental health and psychiatry. Part two, in particular, gives an insight into the thoughts of the changing landscape of mental health, and its visibility in the last 5-10 years. Hearing from the leading editors in this medical field can give us food for thought on how we approach conversations and the nature of mental well-being versus mental health. We’re also giving a glimpse into their thoughts on the rise of mental health awareness and what that means for academic publishing. For those who would like to know more about the contributors, read part one.

Mental Health Awareness Mondays — An Introduction to Psychological Safety

Following on from the SSP and C4DISC webinar ‘Fostering Psychological Safety in the Workplace: An Intro for Scholarly Publishers,’ this post gives an overview of the session and the key takeaways on a human-first approach. Highlighting what psychological safety is (and isn’t) gives a better understanding of how we can go from awareness to action as a scholarly community and within our own spheres of influence. The webinar is available to SSP members in the On Demand Library.

Over the years, The Scholarly Kitchen has curated a wealth of experiences on mental health, which can all be found in the collection. And there are posts that sit outside the mental health awareness category but provide valuable tools and tips that can help move from awareness to action on protecting emotional safety, inclusive workplaces, and technology fatigue. We have colleagues and peers who are bearing heavier weights around us due to the expectations put upon them and the barriers they have to navigate. What action are we taking to lighten these loads or reduce the barriers?

This week, be encouraged to take some action to create a healthier mental space for yourself, for someone else, and for us all. Individual changes are important, but we go further and do better when we practice empathy and compassion for others and build as a community. The Society for Scholarly Publishing has led on mental health initiatives that have brought the community together — and joining the Mental Health Awareness and Action Community of Interest (CoIN) is a great way to “take ACTION” in honor of Mental Health Awareness Week.

Another such action is contributing a guest post for TSK’s Mental Health Awareness Mondays series; consider sharing your experiences and ideas by submitting a post or contacting us directly.