096: Addressing Mental Health in Architecture

Episode 096: Addressing Mental Health in ArchitectureHow do we expand mental health support to professionals across the industry of architecture?Peter Exley, FAIA, RIBA, NOMA, a former AIA National President, Gregg A. Garmisa, J.D., Principal and General Counsel at Studio Gang, and Korey D. White, AIA, NCARB, Senior Associate at DLR Group and a member of the AIA Strategic Council join us to address the growing concerns related to the mental health and well-being of individuals working in the profession of architecture. “As the industry continues to transform and grapple with inequities, workforce diversity, labor challenges and climate change, among other current issues, we challenge our colleagues to join in a collective and inclusive commitment to expand mental health support throughout our profession.” – Peter Exley, Gregg Garmisa, and Korey White, “We Need a Safe Place to Address Our Mental Health,” Chicago Architect, Summer 2022. In this episode, we’ll discuss the problem we’re facing related to mental health in the profession of architecture and steps we can take to start to address this challenge. This episode is dedicated to anyone who is currently or has previously struggled with burnout, mental health, addiction, substance abuse, or related mental health challenges. You are not alone. There is a community of allies who seek to destigmatize, raise awareness, build acceptance, and build better overall well-being practices within our profession.Guests:Peter Exley’s career is committed to an equitable and inclusive built environment for children, families, and communities.As co-founder of Architecture Is Fun, he uses the power of design to build places and spaces that reflect the values, ambitions, and purpose of every stakeholder on myriad civic, cultural, private, and not-for-profit agencies.As a teacher, he is nurturing future architects as the primary and credible resource with the explicit training and qualification to lead the creation of healthy and equitable net-zero place-making.As the 97th President of the American Institute of Architects, he led AIA’s delegation to COP26 in Glasgow, and advanced the AIA Headquarters renewal project embodying the urgent need for climate action alongside a dramatic transformation for workplace, member, and community experience.Gregg Garmisa is Principal and General Counsel at Studio Gang, based in the Studio’s Chicago office. Gregg interacts with clients, consultants, and our design teams on all projects to establish and maintain productive and collegial professional relationships.Immediately prior to joining the Studio, Gregg was Vice President and General Counsel at a national engineering and sustainability consulting firm, where he became one of Studio Gang’s earliest collaborators. Before that, he practiced law and provided public policy guidance to clients in Washington, DC, and Chicago, and served as a legislative advisor to a US senator on Capitol Hill.Gregg is an invited member of the Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys, a former board member of the American Institute of Architects Chicago, and a former trustee of the Chicago Architecture Center. He is an experienced lecturer on current topics at the intersection of the design profession and the law, which he...