It is important to use our critical thinking skills and sometimes doubt another individual’s motivations. However, having no hope that someone’s motivation may be nuanced, or that good may still come from it, can cause us to shut them out and turn us into cynics.

Now more than ever, campus mental health is dominated by the narrative of a crisis, painted as a dire picture of never-ending anxiety and depression among students, staff, and faculty. We now have opportunity to deconstruct the singular “crisis” narrative and consider more complex and nuanced understandings of campus mental health.

Compassion involves recognizing and turning toward another’s pain, seeking to decrease their suffering by extending them kindness and care. Self-compassion is compassion turned inward. Self-compassion researcher Kristin Neff identifies its three components as self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness.

Workplace inclusion is not just about having neurodiverse members on staff, but also providing a sense of belonging. It’s about a company understanding that neurodiverse employees provide a wealth of skills and capabilities like anyone else.