For Austin Wyman ’23, a current Ph.D. student in quantitative psychology at Notre Dame, the study of mental health is not just academic—it’s personal. Motivated by a family tragedy that might have been prevented with better access to mental health care, Austin has made it his life’s work to understand mental illness, advocate for early intervention, and help others get the support they need before a moment of crisis.

In this episode of For Good, Austin shares how he found solace by telling his story, why he chose to remain at Notre Dame for graduate school, and how his research is helping clinicians better diagnose and treat mental illness. 

Tune in to hear why Austin finds hope in the growing conversations around mental health—and how combating stigma may be the key to preventing future tragedies.

0:00 – Meet Austin Wyman

1:09 – A moment of crisis leads to family tragedy

6:32 – “What Would You Fight For” commercial

8:17 – Why Notre Dame—mission and culture

10:30 – Covid-19 pandemic and mental health

12:09 – Quantitative psychology research

16:56 – Understanding the rise in mental health diagnoses

19:09 – Notre Dame’s commitment to combat the mental health crisis

25:50 – Career aspirations and mental health advocacy

31:47 – Cultivating hope amid mental health crisis