SAFE Labs

BraemLabGhent_2026:

The main reason for setting up a lab philosophy document is to make things discussable, and provide a frame of reference for the insecurities and uncertainties we might have (I sure have them!). Academia can be a stressful environment. The competition can be fierce, and the expectations can be vague. We also each have a personal story that might sometimes feel less compatible with our professional life. If you experience negative feelings that affect your general wellbeing at work, you are encouraged to share those feelings with your PI (if considered helpful), but also with close colleagues, the faculty’s or department’s trust person, professional help, or anyone else that can be of help.

IRIBHMComputationalLabs_2026:

The ULB has different mental health services. Staff members can get counseling through SSM (the website is only in French, but there is English speaking staff).In case of accessibility needs, the ULB staff page has information.

You can find help outside of the ULB as well. For medical help, you can contact your personal health insurance. The Platforme Bruxelloise pour la santé mentale can be consulted for various issues such as drug addiction, immigration issues and psychological trauma. There is also a Flemish equivalent active in Brussels called the CAW.

CompGeoLab_2026:

• Hospital Universitário: The campus hospital is excellent, has a walk-in service and provides free medical for the university community.
• CEPE USP: The university sports center is full of free activities that you can sign up for and has a large range of pools and fields that also be used.
• Clinica Odontológica: The São Paulo campus also has a free dental health service for the community.
• Ministério da Saúde - Suicídio (Prevenção): The ministry of health website has resources for suicide prevention and how to get help with mental health issues.
• Centro de Valorização da Vida: Offers a 24h help line by phone, chat, email, and in-person (the closest center to campus is in Pinheiros).

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.

ARFC_2026:

Universities are places of growth and challenge. I recognize that times will occasionally be dark or overwhelming. Throughout your group membership, I will match your dedication to your success with support to the best of my ability. When that is insufficient, I am also responsible for pointing you toward external resources and helping you to formulate a plan.

CELPLab_2026:

Working in science can be difficult for one’s mental health. We are constantly at the cutting edge, and failure is constant - both in terms of results of our work and rejection in the form of grant proposals and papers. In the modern university, we are also asked to wear many hats, often at the same time. Mental health has long carried a stigma in academia, and it’s time to move past that and acknowledge the reality.

In the CELP Lab, we know that your mental health is crucial for being a great scientist. You should never feel obligated to push yourself to be unhealthy. Take breaks. Go on vacation. Have a hobby. Read a book - the trashier the better! Cook elaborate meals! Send us the recipes! Do the things you need to do to have a healthy balanced life. If you feel this is not possible, have a discussion with Prof. Byrnes and other members of the lab.

We all work to be healthy and happy. Whether it’s retooling your expectations of yourself, tackling your imposter syndrome (we have all been there), or, heck, considering the importance of therapy (even Prof. Byrnes engages in it!), let’s talk about it. It’s the most important thing.

KindsvaterLab_2026:

My primary focus is on your wellbeing. If something is going on with you, I’d like to know about it sooner rather than later, especially if it involves someone else in the lab. That being said, we all have a right to our private lives, and boundaries are healthy. If you need extra help with mental health or other specific challenges, I will be happy to help you identify resources for professional help.

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.

PoldrackLab_2026:

Lab members who are seeking time off for health (including mental health) reasons are strongly encouraged, though absolutely not required, to speak with Dr. Poldrack about their concerns. Dr. Poldrack commits to approaching these conversations in a nonjudgmental and empathetic manner, and to working with all lab members to find a solution that works best for them.

SweedlerLab_2026:

I am always available for students to discuss mental health issues and encourage such inquiries. I understand that students may wish to consult with mental health professionals instead or first, and the Chemistry Department website provides a detailed list of available options. All such discussions will be kept in utmost confidentiality.

VuraWeisLab_2026:

Josh will check in approximately monthly with you to ask about your well-being, e.g. stress level, optimism/pessimism about projects, etc. ❖ If someone in the group is having a really rough time, please let Josh know. He will keep your confidence and can step in to give the person more support.