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Speaking up helps mental health for underrepresented docs
A new piece in Healio's Psychiatry & Mental Health section argues that self-promotion isn't self-centeredness for doctors from underrepresented communities. Instead, it's about owning one's accomplishments and expertise, which can foster a sense of belonging and reduce isolation. The article frames this as a mental health benefit, encouraging physicians to be comfortable with their authentic selves and 'take up space'.
A new piece in Healio's Psychiatry & Mental Health section argues that self-promotion isn't self-centeredness for doctors from underrepresented communities. Instead, it's about owning one's accomplishments and expertise, which can foster a sense of belonging and reduce isolation. The article frames this as a mental health benefit, encouraging physicians to be comfortable with their authentic selves and 'take up space'.
The architecture take
The core advice here is for underrepresented physicians to own their expertise publicly, and I think it's spot on. Feeling you have to shrink yourself or minimize your achievements to fit in is a heavy mental load, and it ramps up cortisol when your body is constantly scanning for threat. This isn't just about career advancement; it's a direct signal to the nervous system that 'I am safe here, I belong here'. When you can show up fully, that sense of internal regulation improves. It also creates a virtuous cycle: when you see people like you succeeding, it lowers the perceived barrier for others. I'm taking this as a reminder to check in on my own 'taking up space'—are there places I'm still playing small just because it feels safer? Worth considering.