Bringing mindfulness to the Harvard Longwood community

Mallory Hackett has been part of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) community since 2021, serving as an administrative coordinator in the Office of Research. In addition to her role, she is an active member of HSDM’s Health and Wellness Committee, where she helps promote mental and physical well-being for all HSDM students.

In recognition of World Mental Health Day, an international day dedicated to mental health education, awareness, and advocacy, Hackett recently led a slow flow yoga class for students in the Longwood community. HSDM spoke with her about her journey to becoming a certified yoga instructor and how we can all play a role in supporting mental health.

What brought you to HSDM?

My professional background before coming to HSDM was as a journalist covering the B2B digital health market and healthcare finance industry. I entered that role during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and reporting on the state of our country’s healthcare system at that time quickly led to burnout. After leaving that job to pursue training as a yoga teacher, I spent the next year doing odd jobs from bartending to dog walking to working as a camp counselor and yoga instructor at a summer camp in Maine. 

As fun as all that was, I knew I’d eventually need to find a more stable job. I applied to my current role at HSDM somewhat on a whim because it was close to my apartment in Jamaica Plain and to my surprise, I got the job!

How long have you worked at HSDM and what do you do in your current role?

I’ve worked at HSDM for just about three years in the Office of Research as an administrative coordinator. My main responsibilities revolve around making sure our AGE students stay on track with their thesis projects throughout their program. 

I also help plan our research-related events, including the Research Seminar Series, Student and Faculty Research Days, and the annual Giddon and Goldhaber Awards lectures. It’s a great combination of assisting our students and faculty with their research goals and planning exciting events to showcase HSDM’s research. 

Outside of HSDM you are also a certified yoga instructor. When and why did you become a yoga instructor?

My journey with yoga started in my teenage years.  I’ve always loved physical activity and didn’t really think of yoga as anything other than a fun way to do some stretching, until the pandemic hit. I was in my final semester of undergrad, quarantined in college housing with very few responsibilities and tons of time, so I decided I wanted to learn to stand on my head! Luckily for me, the path to a headstand incorporated a lot of bodily awareness, breath control, and practice being in the present moment—all things I desperately needed at the time. Quickly, I was hooked, and over the next year and a half I continued to deepen my personal practice (and yes, I did learn to stand on my head) but eventually realized I could only get so far on my own. 

In November 2021, I quit my job, sublet my apartment, and flew to Lake Atitlan, Guatemala to immerse myself in yoga history, philosophy, anatomy, and the art of teaching. I wanted to learn more about this ancient practice that had done so much to get me through a dark time, and hopefully gain the skill to share it with others.

How do days like World Mental Health Day contribute to a healthier culture and what does it mean to you personally?

I’ve personally been incredibly lucky to have had stable mental health throughout most my life. I was born into a strong community of friends and family, and access to supports and services for the times I’ve been in need. Unfortunately, there are many people—including some of my close loved ones—who haven’t been so lucky. 

I think it’s wonderful there’s a day dedicated to addressing the social stigma around mental health, but I think it’s important to also address the role that our institutions play in a person’s mental health. Systemic factors like reliable access to food, safe and consistent housing, or a sense that a person is allowed to exist within the broader community play a significant role in someone’s mental wellbeing. So, while World Mental Health Day is a great opportunity to have conversations with friends and family, I think it’s also a great opportunity to do more to create a system that allows all people to flourish.

What inspired you to host a yoga event for World Mental Health Day and what did you hope students would take away from it?

I’m a member of the HSDM Student Health and Wellness Committee and have been eager to find ways to promote embodiment and consciousness within the community. When Carrie Sylven, the senior director of Student Affairs Community & Campus Life, told us that the Longwood community was looking for events for World Mental Health Week, I happily volunteered to host a class. 

My intention for the class was just to create a sense of connection. I think that we’re missing a lot of that in the world today between technology, politics, and our busy schedules. A lot of things feel very intentionally isolating and divided. I believe everyone’s mental health would benefit if we slowed down, took some deep breaths, and connected with ourselves and those around us.

This interview was edited for length and clarity.