Virtual Networking Social: Mental Health Check-in

Virtual Networking Social: Mental Health Check-in
Presented by the NASW Freelance Committee

Date: Thursday, January 9, 2025
Start Time: 1 PM ET / 10 AM PT
Event Access Link: https://www.nasw.org/virtual-events-auditorium (member login required)

As much as we’ve enjoyed and learned from the array of NASW SciWriBizChat and SciWriSkillsChat expert speakers, our greatest source of connections and knowledge is often each other. So, the NASW Freelance Committee virtual meetup on Jan. 9 will be an open social with small group breakouts. All NASW members are invited to attend!

This month’s virtual event will be a bit different than past networking socials. Moving back to the format of our "coffee chats” during the beginning of the pandemic, we invite you to come and discuss in small groups whatever you want to share in a safe space. While the agreements below are intended to foster a safe space, what participants choose to disclose is up to them. Participants are encouraged to talk as openly as they would like about their scicomm career and mental health. Given the suggested topic, participants should expect exposure to conversation that is a little more personal and private than everyday conversation between colleagues. Unless a participant gives explicit consent, whatever is said in the meeting must not leave the meeting.

Science communicators currently face a myriad of mental health and career challenges related to layoffs, reduced freelance budgets, A.I., pervasive disinformation/misinformation, and personal struggles. But we can rely on our generous community to listen and be supportive.

#SciWriSocial

Agreements and privacy

In addition to abiding by NASW's Code of Conduct, all participants agree to abide by these principles in order to create a space of solidarity and support:

• Every participant has an equal voice and responsibility. Everyone should have a chance to share.

• No one person should monopolize the group or the time.

• Every participant strives to be an active listener, offering compassion and encouragement and speaking from a place of care.

• Every participant strives to be non-judgmental, encouraging, and supportive. Participants must not engage in biased, demeaning, intimidating, coercive, or harassing/hostile conduct or commentary, whether seriously or in jest (e.g., based on power differential, gender [sex, identity, expression], sexual orientation, race, ethnicity or national origin, religion, marital status, veteran status, age, body size or other physical appearance, disability, socioeconomic status, or other identities); Do not comment on personal appearance or assumed or known reasons why a person chooses to participate via video, audio, or other means—seriously or in jest; this is the opposite of respectful and welcoming conduct.

• Every participant must respect the privacy of all participants by keeping the identities of all participants and the content of all discussions in the forum in strict confidence. What is said in the network must stay there. No recording or screenshots are permitted.

• Participants agree not to share Zoom links or access instructions.

• Participants agree that whatever is said in a meeting will not be used as information to influence their or their co-workers’ or colleagues’ decision to hire, work with, or otherwise impact their or their co-workers’ or colleagues’ professional relationship with another participant.

• Every participant understands that NASW is a 501c6 non-profit. By participating in the network, forum, discussions, or meetings, participants are agreeing to waive all claims against the officers, board, and facilitators of the group.

Limitations and additional resources

This event aims to serve as a member-run space for finding solidarity in the professional and personal challenges we share. This can include sharing mental health challenges without having to explain their complexities and depth. While sharing of mental health challenges is warmly welcomed, NASW’s network is an informal peer network, not group therapy. It is not run by doctors, mental health professionals, or trained facilitators and is not intended to be a substitute for therapy (etc. etc.). We encourage participants to use the resources below to explore therapy or other forms of professional help as needed. If you have thoughts of harming yourself or others, please contact a doctor immediately and/or contact:

988lifeline.org
or
Dial or text 988 (Available in 240 languages within the United States)

Additional resources for mental health support, many of which are specific to media, can be found at the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma. This re-cap of the October 2020 ScienceWriters session "Taking care of yourself" has some tips and links to additional resources, as well.

Resolving to run your small business more efficiently? Or have you been afraid to jump into self-employment? There is a community here to support you. This year, the NASW Freelance Committee is offering a virtual meetup series held typically on the first Thursday of each month at 1 PM ET / 10 AM PT. Freelance writers, editors and other communicators will be able to educate themselves and ask experts questions in an informal, small-group setting.

Questions? Stop by to say hello to event hosts Ellen Kuwana and Jennifer Huber and to vote for your favorite topics for future events.

Not an NASW member? Join the National Association of Science Writers this year: www.nasw.org/join