Topics in Mental Health

Creating a sustainable culture of mental health and wellbeing is a top priority at the University of Iowa. As part of this effort, university experts provide insight and guidance into the many aspects of how to integrate work and life so we can best care for ourselves while also caring for others.

Image: two women sitting at table

Negotiation in the Workplace

Negotiation may be helpful in resolving situations with your family, friends, etc. In the workplace, negotiation is a form of collaboration that can lead to a shared understanding of employee and employer needs and expectations, which can improve well-being and job satisfaction. 
Dog holding flower

Self-Soothing: Lessons from a Dog

Monday, November 27, 2023
Self-soothing is important when it comes to navigating daily stressors. Seeking out methods to help regulate emotional states by yourself can feel daunting, but with practice can be powerful. Now having navigated puppy teething, I can share a few things Finn has taught me.  
two women walking on nature path

Be Happier Today by Sharing With Others

Thursday, November 9, 2023
Whether it's a helping hand, a kind gesture, or a financial donation, each act of giving has the potential to elevate your own well-being and, in turn, raise the well-being of countless others. By collectively sharing and experiencing joy, we have the extraordinary capacity to make our community a happier place this season and beyond.
pointing finger

Workplace Conflict: Is it Me?

Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Whether or not the pointer finger is directed at the problem, introspection from the three other fingers pointed at you may be the most effective way to improve your interactions with others and promote work civility.
Writing in notebook

The Power of Reflection and Self-Awareness

Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Self-awareness is a journey, not a destination. It is a skill to be practiced. It can be a struggle, though not always a painful one. 
Man with post it notes

Keeping Healthy at Work: Four Tips to Manage Burnout

Thursday, October 19, 2023
Many organizations and professionals are now coming to terms with burnout as a real occupational risk. Learn about 4 strategies that can be effective in staving off burnout.
two hands holding up cut out stick people

From Self-Care to Community Care: Fostering Well-being Together

Monday, October 16, 2023
Encouraging self-care among individuals is admirable, and it's crucial to recognize that self-care, in isolation, can often remain an aspiration rather than a consistent practice. It's in the embrace of community care that self-care becomes sustainable and transformative.
Woman holding her head at desk

Making Space for Emotions at Work

Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Making space for all emotions, including those we don’t want, is essential to our well-being. This can be especially challenging at work, where we sometimes feel we shouldn’t have emotions at all. Learn how engaging in your emotions at work can benefit your total-body wellness.
two paths in a green forest

From Either/Or to Both/And: A Perspective Shift to Help Manage Dilemmas and Reclaim Connections at Work

Tuesday, October 3, 2023
A both/and perspective offers a more flexible approach to living and working in diverse and complex environments. Living in the both/and means multiple truths can exist at the same time, multiple outcomes are possible, and another person’s experiences are as valid as yours. 
two young boys in superhero capes

Facing a Medical Challenge? You Don’t Need to Be a Superhero

Monday, September 25, 2023
What does it mean when you are faced with an unexpected medical diagnosis from a practical sense? It might mean that your body needs to tolerate surgery, medications, side effects, or anxiety, resulting in changes to your daily habits and abilities