Episode 102: Destigmatizing Mental Health (with Andrew Devendorf)

Andrew Devendorf joins Alexa and Yoel to discuss his work on "me-search" (or self-relevant research) within clinical psychology. He talks about the prevalence of mental health difficulties within the field, and the harmful taboos against speaking openly about them. And, he shares his own reasons for studying depression and suicide, and how he has been discouraged from citing personal experience as a motivation for his work. Their conversation also explores common misconceptions about mental illness, strengths of self-relevant research, and ways to be more supportive to those facing mental health challenges. In the end, Yoel and Alexa fail to resolve their debate about the existence of the "unbiased researcher."

Special Guest: Andrew Devendorf.

Links:

• Two Psychologists Four Beers on Untappd
• Andrew Devendorf, M.A.
• PsyArXiv Preprints | Stigmatizing our own: Self-relevant research (Me-search) is common but frowned upon in clinical psychological science
• PsyArXiv Preprints | Is "me-search" a Kiss of Death in mental health research
• Only Human: Mental-Health Difficulties Among Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychology Faculty and Trainees
• My Brother Went Missing, And The Search For Him Turned My World Upside Down | HuffPost HuffPost Personal