Atrium Talks

Taking control of your story, and your wellbeing

In this talk for Mental Health Awareness Week, we will hear from Alexia Black - a User Experience Designer with lived experience of burnout and depression.

Date and time: Wednesday, 29 September at 1.00pm

Event host: Dana Fridman

Drawing on both her own story and the findings of her Capstone project (completed as a group for the MUXD programme) 'How might we increase the number of New Zealanders living with mental distress in safe, meaningful employment?', Alexia will cover:
- why having a workplace (or study) culture that values work/ life balance is so important
- the importance of getting rid of shame about your mental health journey
- how workplaces (and places of study) need to rethink the expectations they place on people, which can contribute to unwellness.

Bio: Alexia is a recent graduate of the VUW Master of User Experience Design programme and an accessibility specialist, having worked in the disability rights movement for 20+ years, including within the United Nations Human Rights Treaty Body system. Alexia has just finished a role with the local DHB, working on creating accessible COVID-19 vaccination experiences for Disabled people. She lives in Te Awakairangi, Lower Hutt with her wife, daughter, cat and 7 rescue guinea pigs.