Mental Health and Wellbeing of Part Time and Distance Learning Postgraduate Researchers: Introduction by Professor Jane Creaton and Dr Charlotte Morris (June 2023)

1. Mental Health and Wellbeing of Part Time and
Distance Learning Postgraduate Researchers
Investigating Issues and Interventions
#UKCGEMH

2. Please introduce
yourself to those on
your table and on our
shared padlet

3. Thinking about mental health and wellbeing
• Not neutral, self-explanatory concepts
• Essential to recognise needs of students with diagnosed / emergent mental health
challenges (not ‘one size fits all’) &
• Destigmatise talking about our mental health
• Predominantly western medical model
• Deficit framing - assumptions about ability
• Importance of flexibility - our mental health continually fluctuates
• Pathologising and labelling human responses to situations
• Multi-layered - intensity of learning, life challenges, resources, belonging…

4. Wellbeing
• Wellbeing - multidimensional concept: Physical, mental, spiritual, social, economic
• Sometimes individualising / judgmental / responsibilising
• Decontextualised: structural inequalities, academic cultures and working conditions,
precarity
• Fostering good relationships & community building
• Access to resources
• How can we work together to foster environments that enable the flourishing of all?
• Postgraduate study can enrich lives & enhance wellbeing!

5. Supervisors - what might you take back with you with respect to your supervisory
practices? Any support / resources needed?
All - What might you take back to your institutions?
Are there any changes you would like to see
(institutional / sectoral / policy level)?
What are the barriers to change?
How might they be overcome?
Any further thoughts / ideas / resources to share?
Please discuss and add key takeaways / ideas to the padlet!

6. Resources and
networks