Wellbeing

Overview

Our academic work doesn’t take place in some detached space, unpermeated by other aspects of our lives; part of being an effective researcher is taking care of the whole self. Here we focus our support and guidance around three core areas: mindfulness, money and debt, and Vicarious Trauma..

 

If you are struggling on a personal level, do please seek support and help. For all students and staff, the university counselling service has a wealth of free online information on a variety of topics, from academic life, mental health, and relationships, please see the link on the right. For in-person support, for DPhil students, your supervisor, Director of Graduate Studies, college advisor or college Senior Tutor would all be good ports of call. The University Counselling Service is available to all students, confidential, and, contrary to the prevailing urban myth, almost all walk-in enquiries have an initial one-to-one appointment within a few days. If you are a member of research staff, please consider talking to your line manager, or the Occupational Health Service, link to the latter on the right. 

 

If you are supporting someone else who is struggling, you also need to take care of yourself. If your friend or colleague is implying – or actively talking about – suicide, please seek support from your welfare network, and you might like to look at the guidance and resources of the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust.
 

At a Glance...

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Whether you’re facing particular challenges, or would like to take pre-emptive protective action, there are regular practices of body and mind which can help increase personal resilience; in particular, many researchers report finding mindfulness practice beneficial. It’s highly portable and divisional courses are free, which makes them more accessible and useful to many researchers.

Information on divisional mindfulness training can be found below

Many researchers struggle with money and debt; financial arrangements can quickly become be bewildering and, at times, overwhelming. If it gets too much and you’d like to talk through your situation with a supportive expert, there are excellent independent, free, services you can access, please use the following link - Charlie Waller Memorial Trust

Researchers whose work entails engaging with traumatised research subjects, those whose experiences have overwhelmed their coping capacities and let them with a profound sense of powerlessness, may be at risk of developing symptoms of Vicarious Trauma. These can closely parallel symptoms of post-traumatic stress; they are distressing for many and debilitating for some. The good news is that whatever stage you are at in the research process, the available divisional training will provide you with proven tools to increase your resilience and capacity to effectively and thoughtfully manage your response to your research.

See below for information on divisional Vicarious Trauma sessions