SAFE Labs

OttLab_2025: We strive to foster a psychologically safe environment to promote mental health at work. Good mental health at work requires many factors to play together laid out in this handbook. Please refer to other sections such as work-life balance, diversity statement, code of conduct, incidence reporting, lab and individual feedback, and others, for details.

• Additional Support Structures: Lab members are referred to HGS mentoring, the institute’s mental health resources, and information on supporting families.

ReinhardLab_2025: Mental health is an important topic – we want our colleagues to be happy and healthy. Making use of mental health infrastructure is strongly encouraged and the PI is always open to discussing necessary adjustments or breaks to improve the well-being of the team members and to ensure that they can successfully and healthily complete their PhD or projects. Lab members are encouraged to bring up any possible issues that are related to the work environment (hours, relationships with colleagues, uncertainty about professional future etc.) with the PI as early as possible. For personal issues that are not related to your work, the PI will usually not be the best person to contact as they are likely not qualified or might have conflicts of interest; for these cases, lab members should get in touch with the school psychologist. The CUG (Comitato Unico di Garanzia – Committee for equal opportunities) is responsible for describing, implementing and monitoring wellbeing actions. General information about the different services including ombuds persons, school psychologists, support for parents etc. can be found on the CUG website. Further actions such as discounts for cultural events etc. can be found here. Finally, the SISSA Club organized many activities related to sports, languages, games etc.

INSIGHTLab_2026: In principle, mental health support should procede through the health care system. The general practitioner is the first (free) port of call. The university describes procedures for mental health support for students. Some of these are relevant for employees too. Use the My Employee Portal to report that you are sick, if you are suffering from mental health problems.

UraiLab_2026: Take care of yourself: research can be exhausting. A certain amount of impostor syndrome is normal, and you will almost certainly find yourself in the valley of shit at some point. Research can be tedious, frustrating and boring, scientific setbacks are normal, and peer review can be downright hostile. Don’t let those define your sense of self-worth: you are not your job!

To stay sane and grounded, remember you’re a whole person: don’t neglect your life outside the lab.

If you struggle with mental health, know that you’re not alone, and that resources are available. Leiden University has counsellors and student psychologist services that you can use freely and confidentially. You can always talk to me about any professional or personal circumstances, for advice, or to point out ways in which I should improve/change my ways.

RadzisheuskayaLab_2025: Mental well-being is crucial for personal and professional success, especially given the prevalence of mental health challenges in academia. High productivity doesn’t equate to overwork and burnout. Lab members are encouraged to manage their productivity responsibly. We expect everyone to contribute to an environment where people feel heard, valued, and supported. If you feel comfortable, I encourage you to discuss any personal challenges that may affect your work during our 1-on-1 meetings. If you need additional support, I encourage you to consider a dedicated Assistance Counselling Program specialising in academia-related work stress challenges. Please find more information here: LINK NOT PUBLIC

CoenLab_2025: Remember to care for your mental health and seek support when needed. UCL’s Employee Assistance Programme offers confidential, 24/7 mental health support from trained professionals in seconds: by Freephone - 0808 196 5808.

• Support within UCL
• Free external support services
• How to support others

SuperLab_2026: Mental well-being is crucial for personal and professional success, especially given the prevalence of mental health challenges in academia (https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt.4089). High productivity doesn’t equate to overwork and burnout. Lab members are encouraged to manage their productivity responsibly. If you feel comfortable, I encourage you to discuss any personal challenges that may affect your work during our 1-on-1 meetings. If you need additional support:

Counselling Service

Mental Health Advisory Service

AeryJonesLab_2026: To share any concerns confidentially, postdocs and staff can talk to EAP or Employee Health Services and students can talk to Student Counseling or Student Health Services.

MsEELab_2026: Mental well-being is crucial for personal and professional success, especially given the prevalence of mental health challenges in academia. High productivity doesn’t equate to overwork. Lab members are encouraged to manage their productivity responsibly and are not expected to exceed regular work hours. If you feel comfortable, Pablo encourages you to discuss any personal challenges that may affect your work during one-on-one meetings. If you need additional support, we encourage you to consider the following resources:

• Free coaching for both students and staff members
• Different types of counselling available through Cornell Health
• Financial and food access support (more resources available)

Many more available resources for both students and staff members are displayed on the Cornell Health website, organized by the level of distress and the nature of issues affecting you. Mechanisms may differ depending on whether you are a student or staff member, but they are available. Pablo is happy to help connect you with the help you need.

If you are (or someone else is) experiencing an immediate threat of harm to self or others, get connected to emergency services by calling for help. When connecting with emergency services, please describe as clearly as possible the location and nature of the emergency. 

• If you are on campus, call 607-255-1111 to be connected to Cornell Public Safety Communications Center. Students calling 911 from campus will be routed to the CUPD based on location.
• If you are off campus, call 911

Even if your phone is out of service, 911 operators can still be reached.