How are institutions responsible for the mental health of graduate students? An expert explains

Master’s and PhD students face numerous challenges and bureaucratic hurdles along their research journey.

A person sitting at a desk in the dark, illuminated only by a lamp. The scene conveys intense concentration and a sense of isolation while working into the night.

Rates of mental health disorders have increased considerably since the COVID-19 pandemic: conditions such as anxiety and depression have risen by around 25% in the general population, according to neuroscientist Elisa Harumi Kozasa, a researcher at Einstein Hospital Israelita.

Among graduate students, however, the prevalence could be even higher.

Based on this context and the amount of work involved in a research project, academic institutions need to be attentive to the psychological well-being of their professors and researchers. Heavy workloads and excessive pressure often lead to burnout.

In an interview with Science Arena, Kozasa noted that burnout is included in the International Classification of Diseases as a factor that influences mental health.

She therefore advises that institutions at least establish partnerships with psychology programs within their universities.

“There are also places that offer therapy services at accessible prices,” she points out.

Such options should be offered to support students, since many struggle to find an effective referral system.

Watch the full interview with Elisa Kozasa on Science Arena:

Choosing an advisor

When selecting advisors, many institutions focus solely on technical competence. However, Kozasa emphasizes the importance of analyzing their emotional skills in order to prevent the emergence of a hostile and uncomfortable environment.

“Oftentimes, students arrive excited to pursue a master’s or a PhD. Then, suddenly, they become disillusioned, depressed, anxious, and they give up or even experience suicidal thoughts,” she says.

Researcher Elisa Kozasa, standing on a stage illuminated in purple and pink lighting, speaks into a microphone. She is wearing a name tag and a dark t-shirt, at what appears to be a scientific event or conference. — Einstein neuroscientist Elisa Kozasa: “a PhD alone is not enough to secure a research position—a postdoctoral fellowship or two will likely be needed” | Image: Fábio H. Mendes/E6 Images

Support centers

Another way institutions can support students’ mental health is by creating research support centers with teams that assist with research management and bureaucratic matters. The aim of this approach is to alleviate mental overload.

“If it is not possible to have a full team, it is helpful to at least have administrative staff trained to assist researchers,” Kozasa explains.

She adds that this kind of support helps students deal with challenges they face during their project, such as applying for funding.

The team can also talk to candidates about what to expect from academic life. “It is very important to be clear that becoming a researcher takes two years for a master’s degree and four years for a PhD,” she says.

“And a PhD alone is not enough to secure a research position—a postdoctoral fellowship or two will likely be needed.”

With this understanding, prospective students can more accurately assess the program and whether it fits into their routine, helping to prevent overload and, consequently, burnout.

Psychological safety and achievable goals are crucial to productivity, Kozasa says. For more discussion about mental health in graduate studies, read the full interview in this Science Arena article.

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