ResDance Series 5: Episode 4: Widening awareness and learning on mental health in dance with Manisha Aggarwal

ResDance Series 5: Episode 4: Widening awareness and learning on mental health in dance with Manisha Aggarwal In this episode, Manisha discusses her interests in supporting dancers with their mental health and wider considerations of mental health within the dance sector, more generally. Through situating thinking around her current PhD research, Manisha shares her thinking around barriers around mental health in dance, the application of research findings to sport and dance settings and the importance of context when considering such application. She highlights the importance of cross-discipline research in widening awareness and learning around mental health and reflects upon her position as a researcher in being situated across disciplines.  Throughout the episode, Manisha advocates the need for mental health to be a priority and for there to be greater emphasis on the role the dance sector can have on a dancer’s engagement with dance itself. Manisha Aggarwal is currently a Trainee Sport and Exercise Psychologist, completing the Professional Doctorate with Liverpool John Moores University. Alongside this, she works as the Learning Support Lead at University Campus of Football Business. Manisha’s background has predominantly been in dance with hope to slowly make change in the dance industry in the NorthWest. Manisha has various research interests including dancers' progression and cultural competency in sports, working towards a more inclusive environment. Contact details Contact email: [email protected] Instagram: @dancersmindset     Twitter: @dancersmindset Social media @LJMU @UCFBUK  (1) Manisha Aggarwal | LinkedIn Other resources  Social Identity as a Dancer and the Positive Role of Psychotherapy. – Sports Psychotherapy Services (sports-psychotherapy.com)   Please share this episode with students, educators, practitioners, performers, and interdisciplinary researchers curious to learn more about dance research in action.