Staff Spotlight:
In honor of Women's History Month, we want to lift up the voices and victories of women. We asked PPC researchers and staff to share their advice for young women today. During the month of March, we will be sharing their replies. Today, we spoke with Senior Research Specialist Victoria Stamadianou, whose work focuses on systems of care and behavioral health.
Q&A with Victoria Stamadianou
- What advice do you have for young women today?
Combining the functions of being caregiver with a vibrant professional life is demanding for anyone. Women are often primary caregivers of family members and carry the lion’s share of the mental load associated with managing their home lives. Appreciate yourself, rely on your network, ask for support, and advocate for understanding in the environments that we navigate.
- What is one way your life/work has been impacted by women?
I admire and am grateful for the women (and men) who struggled to build understanding around lack of equality in spheres of life and work, and who worked to create education, work, and political participation opportunities that are more equitable.
- Can you think of a specific project you have worked on that directly impacts women?
One of the components of the System of Care project that inspired me is that it aims to place the consumer and their family at the helm of decision-making at the level of services received and policies developed in the behavioral health field. Women are more likely to be caregivers and the aim supporting them to shape their and their families lives can lead to broader positive societal change.