Empowering university leaders, staff, and graduates for mental health action in higher education

Mental health literacy is essential in academia for both staff and students. Supportive work environments can minimize academic burnout and foster inclusive cultures. Academics contend with increased workloads, high student-to-staff ratios, pressure to publish, securing funding, job insecurity, and systemic inequities, further exacerbated by COVID-19. This chapter advocates for a mental health-focused and inclusive academic workplace, promoting principles that value vulnerability and collaboration over competition by emphasizing mental health, support, inclusion, and work-life balance. It evaluates the literature for these suggestions and their effect on academic culture, discussing strategies to alleviate stress, particularly for students and staff.