PhD students Tasneem Mohammed and Nolina Doud, and Katey explored the impact of an instructor disclosing their personal experience with depression on undergraduate students in a large physiology class. The study aimed to see if sharing their experience could foster connections between students and the instructor, normalizing mental health discussions within academic settings.
They found that over 90% of students remembered their instructor revealing their depression, with a majority considering it appropriate for instructors to share personal mental health experiences. Students also felt that this disclosure made their instructor more approachable, helped them feel they belonged, and contributed to a more inclusive classroom.
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