Menu
In 2020, SONA launched a survey to collect data on the mental wellness of architecture students to understand the key issues and the factors driving them.
The SONA advocacy working group lead by Nicole Mesquita Mendes (SONA President) and Leanne Haidar (Immediate Past SONA President) rigorously analysed the findings of the survey and conducted further research into mental health to compile the Mental Wellbeing of architecture students report.
SONA is seeking answers to 4 key questions from from everyone; students, graduates, architects, academics and retired professionals to understand this issue further, advocate on behalf of students and help find potential solutions.
SONA is presented the survey report and findings at the 2022 National Symposium: Lost Opportunities alongside the Wellbeing of Architects Project.
The session reported on two recent, major research projects addressing mental wellbeing amongst architecture students and practitioners. A collaboration between SONA and researchers at Monash University, the session reported on key findings, discussed implications, and proposed ways forward to address current problems, and avoid the ‘lost opportunity’ of diverse and talented people leaving the profession.
Speakers
Nicole Mesquita Mendes and Leanne Haider (SONA),
Naomi Stead (Monash)
SONA continues to raise awareness and encourage conversation around student mental wellness and is currently working on a number of initiatives to do this:
SONA is collaborating with Monash researchers on the wellbeing of Architects project to collaborate on the design of a tangible outcome to communicate and support positive health and wellbeing of architecture students. You can find out more about this project here.
In 2021 SONA presented to the AASA Architecture education | Association of Architecture Schools of Australasia (aasa-arch.org) in 2021
The findings and report of the SONA survey were presented to the National Council and National Education Committee at the end of 2021 and will be presented to each State Education Committees in 2022, each committee will be encouraged to compile their responses to our key questions.
SONA is presented the survey report and findings at the 2022 National Symposium: Lost Opportunities alongside the Wellbeing of Architects Project.
Responses to the key questions on the SONA website are open. Selected responses will be published alongside the launch of the 2022 Health and Wellbeing Survey later 2022.
reach out to us if you have any further thoughts on what we have presented or would like to collaborate.
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
