Mental health can be a difficult subject to discuss, but it affects everyone, and chemists are no exception. The only way to address these issues is by having frank discussions about the biological basis for mental illnesses, as well as the struggles that some researchers go through, and ways labs can better support chemists with mental health challenges. That is why ACS Publications recently hosted the webinar on work-life balance in the lab, as part of their ongoing Changing the Culture of Chemistry series.

Watch the full presentation of Changing the Culture of Chemistry: Mental in the Lab:

This one-hour program featured a panel of engaging speakers, including:

• Professor Mary Kay Lobo, Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, who spoke about the biological basis for mental illness, and her own research into depression and anxiety.
• Dr. Zoë Ayres, Senior Scientist & Mental Health Advocate, United Kingdom, discussed why organizations should care about the mental health of researchers, and how organizations can do a better job of supporting researchers’ mental health.
• Xiaofei (Fay) Lin, Ph.D. Candidate in Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, talked about her experiences with depression and how it affected her professional journey. She also gave advice about caring for yourself and getting help if necessary.

Dr. Christina MacLaughlin of ACS Publications acted as the program’s moderator, fielding questions from attendees at the end of the event.