Mental Health Crisis in Graduate Education: The Data and Intervention Strategies
Authors: Evans Teresa Marie , Bira Lindsay , Beltran‐Gastelum Jazmin , Weiss L. Todd , Vanderford Nathan 
Published: November 2023

There is a growing cry for help from graduate students and postdoctoral fellows (trainees) across the globe who struggle with significant mental health concerns. Although there has been increased discussion, there remains a dire need to resolve our understanding of the mental health issues in the trainee population.

Recent research has been focused on within‐institution cohorts, such as the 2014 UC Berkeley Graduate Student Happiness and Well‐being Report which found that 43–46% of graduate students in the biosciences were depressed and the 2015 University of Arizona Graduate Student Mental Health National Association of Graduate Professional Students Report which found that a majority of doctoral students reported “more than average” current stress or “tremendous” stress and endorsed school and education‐related issues as the most significant contributors to their stress. Although these studies have begun to shed a light on the burden of stress and depression among graduate students very little is known about the prevalence of mental health symptoms in the postdoctoral fellow population. The only study to date surveyed 200 postdoctoral fellows and found that 29% were depressed (Gloria, et. al, 2013). Although, these studies demonstrate the mental health concerns in the trainee population, more research is needed to better define the prevalence and the role of key variables such as gender, nationality, career preparedness, mentorship relationships, and perceived work‐life balance on susceptibility to mental health struggles in the trainee population.

In order to address these gaps, a comprehensive survey, that included clinically validated scales for anxiety, depression and stress, was deployed via social media and direct email that collected responses from a diverse study population. We surveyed a total of 2,643 respondents (227 Master's students, 2,050 PhD students, and 366 postdoctoral fellows). Respondents were from 32 countries and 269 institutions and represented the following fields of study: science (44%), humanities and social sciences (51%), engineering (2%), and other (3%).

A significant number of respondents presented with moderate to severe rates of anxiety, depression, and stress. Master's and PhD students were most effected, having moderate to severe anxiety, depression and stress rates of 41%, 39%, and 82%, respectively. Transgender/gender non‐conforming individuals, minorities and individuals with strained mentoring relationships and work‐life balance were disproportionally affected. Our data point to a need for policy interventions in which the specific needs of individuals with differing gender expressions and race are considered. Additionally, the data suggest a need for more emphasis on mentor training and work‐life balance initiatives directed at the trainee as well as faculty mentors.

Support or Funding Information

Financial support for this project was provided by the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the UT Health San Antonio.