System Transformation to Improve Mental Wellbeing at Universities by Erica Hua Fletcher

The Anthropology and Mental Health Interest Group recently completed a policy position statement on the state of mental health in anthropology. In it, we outline the various structural barriers to mental well-being in academia in general, and Anthropology, in particular, calling for the implementation of action items to support the mental health of the community. This can be accomplished through developing and maintaining an adequate mental health infrastructure, and addressing deep-seated inequalities and socioeconomic disparities. This panel will discuss the policy position statement, and ways of turning words into actions.

Panelists include a university administrator, a full professor, an early career scholar, and a graduate student.

We will discuss the origins of this policy statement, share our process for collaboratively writing this statement with graduate students most impacted by departmental policies, and talk about potential implementation strategies. We will also discuss unique challenges and opportunities for system transformation during the pandemic, as well as techniques we have used in our own course development, research, and university service to increase access and promote diversity and inclusion as a practice of mental well being.