How can universities support graduate/PhD mental health? Here's some thoughts on what institutions can work towards today 👇#AcademicMentalHealth #AcademicChatter
1 - Acknowledge that the research culture plays a role 🏛️
The onus to improve mental health isn't just on the individual. It's time to acknowledge that the stressors at university impact grad students.
The onus to improve mental health isn't just on the individual. It's time to acknowledge that the stressors at university impact grad students.
2 - Train PIs 🧑🏫
Promoted to positions of power based on research capabilities PIs often haven't been trained in mental health, like even for 2 hours. Providing basic training can help.
Promoted to positions of power based on research capabilities PIs often haven't been trained in mental health, like even for 2 hours. Providing basic training can help.
3 - Create targeted grad student resources 📝
None of the "how to deal with stress during your exams" because this is rarely applicable to grad students. Thinking about the key challenges grad students experience and tailoring the program can help students feel seen.
None of the "how to deal with stress during your exams" because this is rarely applicable to grad students. Thinking about the key challenges grad students experience and tailoring the program can help students feel seen.
4 - Have clear bullying and harassment guidelines 🥊
And take allegations seriously. Abuse of power is not uncommon during grad school. It's important to not only provide safe reporting avenues but also act on them.
And take allegations seriously. Abuse of power is not uncommon during grad school. It's important to not only provide safe reporting avenues but also act on them.
5 - Enable lived experience discussions 🗣️
Panel discussions, invited speakers actually talking about mental health within the department can help normalise the conversations around mental health and make people feel less alone.
Panel discussions, invited speakers actually talking about mental health within the department can help normalise the conversations around mental health and make people feel less alone.
6 - Treat graduate students like staff 🤝
Give them the same rights, like vacation days, healthcare of staff. It's that simple. Being treated like a human being does wonders for our mental well-being.
Give them the same rights, like vacation days, healthcare of staff. It's that simple. Being treated like a human being does wonders for our mental well-being.
7 - Encourage and enable exploring "extracurriculars" 🔍
Providing time for personal development is essential. Many grad students won't continue in academia so being given the opportunity to explore what they enjoy/gain experience is important. This helps with the uncertainty.
Providing time for personal development is essential. Many grad students won't continue in academia so being given the opportunity to explore what they enjoy/gain experience is important. This helps with the uncertainty.
8 - Make sure healthy boundaries can be set 🛑
No-one should have to work 24/7. This needs tackling at the institutional level. Graduate students have the right to rest and recuperation.
No-one should have to work 24/7. This needs tackling at the institutional level. Graduate students have the right to rest and recuperation.
9 - Set up a mental health committee 🧠
Enable students and staff to drive internal events and put the conversation about mental health in the spotlight.
Enable students and staff to drive internal events and put the conversation about mental health in the spotlight.
10 - Survey your students 🔢
Ask the question - what do your grad students need? Are they struggling? Leading by data means you can truly improve things for your students.
What else can institutions do? Add below ⬇️
Ask the question - what do your grad students need? Are they struggling? Leading by data means you can truly improve things for your students.
What else can institutions do? Add below ⬇️
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