Why do you believe mental health should be talked about in engineering?
Annie: The engineering workload is intense, and a lot of students feel forced to mask their stress just to project confidence and fit in. Constantly bottling that up leads directly to burnout. Normalizing conversations around mental health gives students permission to seek support before the pressure negatively impacts their well-being and academic performance.

A quote or mantra that helps Annie stay grounded or resilient: 
You don't have to carry the entire load alone.

Describe how mental wellness supports good engineering.
Annie: It’s hard to focus and solve complex problems when your mind is totally overwhelmed. Taking care of your mental health helps you stay grounded under stress and gives you the tools to build a long, successful career without losing yourself along the way.

Why do you believe mental health should be talked about in engineering?
Taunton: The workload is heavy, and there’s definitely a culture that you just need to "suck it up" and keep pushing. But keeping all that in eventually catches up to you, affecting your head, your grades, and your life outside of school. Normalizing these conversations is super important if we actually want people to succeed, not just suffer through.

A quote or mantra that helps Taunton stay grounded or resilient: 
Asking for help doesn't make you any less capable.

Describe how mental wellness supports good engineering.
Taunton: Mental wellness keeps your mind clear so you can actually do good work when things get stressful. Learning how to manage burnout while you're in school builds the stamina and focus you’ll need for the rest of your life.

Areas of Emphasis: Mental Well-being, Burnout & Resilience, Confidence & Imposter Syndrome

Why do you believe mental health should be talked about in engineering?
Alexis: Engineering is a rigorous field that requires persistence, creativity, and problem-solving. Along the way, it's common for students to experience stress, burnout, self-doubt, or imposter syndrome. Talking openly about mental health helps reduce stigma, encourages students to seek support early, and reminds them that they don't have to navigate challenges alone. Prioritizing mental well-being allows students to succeed both academically and personally.

A quote or mantra that helps Alexis stay grounded or resilient: 
Progress, not perfection.

Describe how mental wellness supports good engineering.
Alexis: Mental wellness provides the foundation for effective learning, innovation, and collaboration. When students are taking care of their mental health, they are better able to think critically, manage stress, work as part of a team, and persevere through challenging problems. Supporting mental wellness helps future engineers build both technical skills and lifelong resilience.

Areas of Emphasis: Academic Success, Mental Well-being, Confidence & Imposter Syndrome

Why do you believe mental health should be talked about in engineering?
Grant: With family in engineering, I know that seeking an engineering degree is both time-consuming and difficult. These challenges lead many engineering students to "grin and bear it" to seem capable when facing difficulty. Although helpful in some ways, this stoicism might lead engineering students to abandon their mental well-being in the pursuit of academics. If left unaddressed, declining mental health might harm various aspects of life, including academics and social well-being. Thus, I find discussing mental health to be integral to happiness and success in the study of engineering. 

A quote or mantra that helps Grant stay grounded or resilient: 
You don't have to do it alone. 

Describe how mental wellness supports good engineering.
Grant: Mental wellness supports engineers throughout their lives. Mental wellness not only helps engineering students maintain positive mental health through academic challenges, but it also teaches skills that engineers can utilize throughout their degree program and beyond.

Areas of Emphasis: Academic Success, Mental Well-being, Time Management & Executive Function, Motivation, Burnout & Resilience, Confidence & Imposter Syndrome, Social Connection & Belonging, Career Development & Professional Growth, Goal Setting & Future Planning, Help-Seeking & Resource Navigation

Why do you believe mental health should be talked about in engineering?
Joshua: Despite the high rates of engineering students screening for depressive and anxiety symptoms, they are less likely to seek help compared to other academic majors. This trend may be reinforced by engineering's "culture of stress", expecting students to face their rigorous coursework with stoicism and grit. It's important to talk about mental health in engineering to destigmatize the subject and to encourage distressed students to effectively seek help.

A quote or mantra that helps Joshua stay grounded or resilient: 
"Hard to see the light now. Just don’t let it go. Things will come out right now. We can make it so." - from the musical Into the Woods, written by Stephen Sondheim

Describe how mental wellness supports good engineering.
Joshua: We know from studies done within UK Engineering that increased mental health distress often accompanies decreased academic performance. Prioritizing mental health allows engineering students to proactively prevent burnout, lead a fuller and healthier life, and develop helpful coping skills that will benefit them throughout their education and future careers.

Why do you believe mental health should be talked about in engineering?
Elahe: Student success goes far beyond grades. Engineering is intense and perfectionist, which wears people down. When students feel supported, they stay engaged and persevere. Prioritizing mental health builds the resilience, focus, and creativity engineers need for long-term success.

A quote or mantra that helps Elahe stay grounded or resilient:  
Mistakes are just data; progress isn't linear.

Describe how mental wellness supports good engineering.
Elahe: Engineering demands intense focus, creativity, and problem-solving under pressure. Clear minds produce better ideas, handle setbacks better, and collaborate without burning out. Caring for your mental health doesn't just make you a better engineer, it makes you better at life.