Everyone experiences occasional bouts of stress or worry or sadness, but when those feelings become extreme or interfere with daily functioning, they could be indicators of more serious mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. Mental health conditions can occur for several reasons and at any point in a person’s life; however, a recent study published in Nature in March 2018 suggests that there is a striking prevalence of anxiety and depression among the graduate student population¹. In their study, Evans et. al (2018) conducted a survey of 2,279 individuals, 90% of whom are PhD students and 10% Masters students, from 26 countries and 234 institutions¹. Results from their study showed that graduate students experience anxiety and depression at a rate six times higher than the general population, with 41% scoring as having moderate to severe anxiety (compared to 6% of the general population) and 39% scoring as having moderate to severe depression (compared to 6% of the general population)¹.

The results from this and other recent studies^2,3 are alarming but unfortunately may not be too surprising. Graduate school can be a time of immense stress and limited work-life balance due in part to long hours at work or in the lab, pressure to generate data and publish, availability of funding, and added expectations from family or other personal obligations. There is also the issue graduate students commonly face known as “Imposter Syndrome” which involves feelings of inadequacy or ineptitude in their fields and compared to their peers⁴. These stressors and a lack of emphasis on and guilt associated with self-care combine to create an environment conducive to developing more severe mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.

Fortunately, there are avenues to help alleviate some of the stress and tension graduate students face and curb the alarming rate of mental health disorders among this population. Here at Ohio State University, we have mental health services available to the entire student body (both graduate and undergraduate students) on the main Columbus campus including individual counseling, group therapy, and psychological services. For graduate students based in Wooster, counseling services are provided through the Source One Group. While these services exist, it is always possible to do more to address this important issue. Expanding accessibility, particularly to high-risk groups of students like transgender or gender-nonconforming populations¹, and providing better training to faculty and advisors on signs of mental health conditions and actions they can take¹, are just a few examples of ways that we can better address mental health issues in graduate school.

Most importantly, I think, is removing the stigma associated with mental health conditions and potential guilt associated with self-care that can occur at any level of academia and beyond. We all need time to rest and recuperate; watch our favorite TV show, go for a walk, grab drinks with friends. And it is okay to not feel okay, but that doesn’t mean you have to feel isolated and or face your stress alone. Looking out for each other and taking the time to talk or listen can go a long way, but it is also incredibly important to have access to professional care when needed.

Additional Resources and References:

1-800-273-8255 (Suicide Prevention Lifeline)
We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Written by TPS Fellow Katie D'Amico

References
1 Evans, T.M. et al. Nature 3, 282-284 (2018).
2 UC Berkeley Graduate Assembly. Graduate Student Happiness and Well-being Report http://ga.berkeley.edu/wellbeingreport (2014).
3 Smith, E. & Brooks, Z. Graduate Student Mental Health (University of Arizona, 2013).
4 https://caps.umich.edu/article/graduate-students-imposter-syndrome