Mentoring Trainees With Lived Experience of Psychopathology: A Strengths-Based, Cultural-Humility Framework for...

Mental-health difficulties are prevalent among psychologists, yet professionals in the field are often discouraged from disclosing their lived experience with psychopathology because of persistent stigma. Lived experience with psychopathology has historically been treated as a deficit within the profession. However, emerging research and perspectives are beginning to challenge this status quo by highlighting that lived experience can be an asset in psychological science and practice. Despite this shift, there remains little guidance on how to navigate this topic in mentor-mentee relationships. We outline a framework for strengths-based mentorship that is based on six pillars: tenets of strengths-based mentorship, foundational and functional mentorship competencies, mental-health literacy, feminist principles, cultural humility, and ethical considerations. This framework can help improve mentor-mentee relationships, reduce stigma, and ultimately improve the professional development of mentees with lived experience. We apply this principle-driven framework to common professional scenarios: recruiting applicants, evaluating personal statements, and navigating situations in which a mentee is distressed, requesting accommodations, or interested in leveraging their lived experiences in their work. By offering this framework, we aim to facilitate dialogue and provide actionable guidance for mentors seeking to support trainees with psychopathology.