Episode 5 - Mental health, higher education, and institutional systems

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Access Granted, hosts Zhitong and Phoebe sit down with Yuxin, a third-year anthropology student, to explore the complex intersection between mental health, higher education, and institutional systems. Yuxin shares her journey navigating severe depression, academic interruption, and the challenges of returning to university life. The conversation unpacks how language barriers, cultural context, and institutional structures shape students’ ability to seek help and express themselves. The episode also critically examines the role of universities: Can flexibility in deadlines solve deeper issues in learning environments? What does meaningful support actually look like in large institutions? Through honest reflections, the discussion highlights the importance of human connection, inclusive teaching practices, and small, meaningful interactions that can make a lasting difference. This episode also experiments with the use of AI tools to bridge communication gaps — raising subtle questions about the role of AI in education and personal expression.