Struggles & Support

If you’re wrestling with self-doubt, impostor syndrome, or the pressures of academic life, you’re not alone. Below is a curated set of mental-health resources, resilience stories, and uplifting collections to help you navigate challenges and find inspiration. For suggestions or to share your own story, email me at HELP@drshah.me

Well-Being Resources

Student Mental Health Hubs

• Mind UK – Student Life & Support
  Practical guides on maintaining mental health during your studies, with information on in-person and online support options
• Student Minds – The Student Mental Health Manifesto
  Evidence-based recommendations for universities and students, including tips on overcoming impostor feelings and building peer support networks

Impostor Syndrome & Confidence

• APA – How to Overcome Impostor Phenomenon
  Expert insights into why impostor feelings arise and practical strategies to build self-confidence
• APA Podcast: Speaking of Psychology – Impostor Syndrome
  A deep dive into impostor feelings, their impact on performance, and coping mechanisms

Success & Resilience Stories

Learning from Failure

• TED Playlist: The Benefits of Failure
  Curated talks on how setbacks can fuel growth, featuring speakers like Elizabeth Gilbert and Astro Teller
• Courtney Johnson: Failure Is Necessary | TED Talk
  A powerful reminder that early failures can drive creative success and resilience
• Veena Nellissery Sethuraman: Failure Is Success in Progress | TEDx
  An inspiring personal narrative on embracing failure as a stepping stone to achievement

Women in STEM

• UNESCO – Girls, Women and STEM: Ingeniosas Foundation
  How a Chilean initiative breaks down gender stereotypes and inspires young women in STEM
• UNESCO – Empowering Women in STEM: 10th Anniversary
  Celebrating female role models and strategies to expand women’s participation in science and technology
• UNESCO – Women & Girls in Science: Challenges Today
  A review of ongoing barriers and success stories from female scientists worldwide

Positive & Uplifting Stories

• Positive News
  Independent journalism focused on “what’s going right” in society, environment, and science
• Positive News – What Went Right in 2024
  A roundup of the year’s most inspiring and constructive news stories

For “Twentys-omethings”

• 📖 The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter – Jay’s seminal book on leveraging skills, relationships, and experiences in your twenties to build a robust foundation for career, relationships, and well-being.
• 🎤 Why 30 Is Not the New 20 – Jay’s influential TED Talk challenging the notion that your twenties are expendable and highlighting why early adult years matter deeply.

Remember: seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Reach out, share your experiences, and know that a supportive community stands behind you.