Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day and RMIT experts are available to comment on mental health topics relating to the LGBTQIA+ community, self-care and self-compassion, the workplace and the internet.
Dr Miranda Lai, Senior Lecturer in Translating and Interpreting
Topics: wellbeing, self-expression, gender diversity, LGBTIQA+, culturally and linguistically diverse
“Self-expression for gender-diverse community members is challenging, especially for LGBTIQA+ members from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
“Not being able to express oneself in their own language risks excluding them from society and affects their mental wellbeing.
“Inclusive and respectful terminological resources in a range of languages are needed to enable self-expression and facilitate better mental wellbeing for all cultures.”
Miranda Lai has been a translating and interpreting trainer and educator for 20 years and is one of the rare academics in this disciplinary area who have deep knowledge and experience in both vocational training and higher education sectors. Her research interests include police interpreting, public service interpreting, and ethics for translators and interpreters.
---
Dr Lena Wang, Associate Professor in Management
Topics: self-care, mental health, wellbeing trends, Snail-girl, Bare Minimum Mondays
“Younger generations are rejecting a lifestyle that focuses on the pursuit of external driven rewards such as money, fame and status, which has been the focus of older generation’s for many years.
“A lot of trends that we are seeing right now on social media such as ‘Snail Girl’ or ‘Bare Minimum Mondays’ are one of the responses to the pressing mental health issue in our society.
“Increasing mental health awareness encourages more people to take a step back and think about how they want to live a better life and to practise self-care more meaningfully.”
Dr Ying (Lena) Wang’s research focuses on understanding and fostering positive individual attributes and behaviours at work; and advancing organisational diversity and inclusion.
She is the Co-Director of RMIT’s Centre for Organisations and Social Change (COSC) which examines contemporary business, policy and societal challenges to find evidence-based solutions to create inclusive, equitable and thriving organisations.
---
Dr Vasileios Stavropoulos, Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology
Topics: clinical psychology, behavioural addictions, gambling, social media, gaming disorder, digital phenotyping, internet use and abuse
Dr Vasileios Stavropoulos is an academic and professional clinical psychologist activated in the broader field of Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on the use-abuse of internet, social media, and gambling.
---
Violet Minehan, Founder of GenderQuest
Topics: inclusive communities, LGBTQIA+, self-care
Violet Minehan is one of the founders of GenderQuest, a startup with the mission of connecting the trans and gender-diverse community through playing games. Violet’s passion is crafting innovative, inclusive products.
Contact details:
Lena Wang, 0450 710 176 or lena.wang@rmit.edu.au
Vasileios Stavropoulos, 0450 903 687 or vasileios.stavropoulos@rmit.edu.au
Violet Minehan, violet.minehan@rmit.edu.au
General media enquiries: RMIT External Affairs and Media, 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au
