Can academia negatively affect mental health?

Many graduate students face psychological challenges, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic

A man sitting on the floor in a hallway, leaning against cabinets with his head resting on his hand, in a position suggesting exhaustion or distress. A cold light shining through the doorway in the background reinforces the feeling of isolation and emotional tension.

The topic of mental health has become more widely discussed since the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in light of the increase in rates of anxiety and depression. While the problem has intensified among the general population, the situation may be even more critical in academic environments.

Many master’s and PhD students face a range of pressures that can heighten stress, from strict deadlines and productivity expectations to concerns about funding.

In an interview with Science Arena, neuroscientist Elisa Harume Kozasa, a researcher at Einstein Hospital Israelita, pointed out that the prevalence of mental illness among students appears to be higher than in the general population.

The mental health of academics is also frequently affected by feelings of isolation due to a strong focus on their professional development, often at the expense of time spent with family and friends.

In addition to the impact on social relationships, Kozasa noted that there is often a competitive atmosphere in academic settings.

Stress levels can be managed by adopting certain habits to improve well-being and stimulate productivity, such as prioritizing social interaction and time management.

Lack of time management structure

Kozasa explains that many academic environments do not have a good structure for time management. Many deadline problems arise from a lack of organization in the early stages of a research project, when the student’s individual profile and capacity for commitment need to be taken into account.

“In our graduate program [at Einstein], students only join the project after its approval by the Research Ethics Committee. That saves a lot of time from the start,” says the neuroscientist.

For this reason, Kozasa emphasizes, it is important to analyze how each stage of the research might affect the student’s daily routine before making any decisions.

“There are projects where you really need to be full-time. When working in a laboratory or doing cell cultures, for example, you need to be there every day to monitor what is happening without knowing exactly when the study will end.”

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: “It is important to have at least two or three people you trust and can talk to about your struggles.” | Image: Fábio H. Mendes/E6 Images

Funding uncertainty

Uncertainty surrounding funding is another factor that can generate anxiety and affect research progress. Once a student has begun a graduate program, the longer it takes for their project to pass committee review or secure funding, the tighter the deadlines will become.

To mitigate this situation, Kozasa emphasizes the importance of establishing clear objectives when first embarking on a research program.

The importance of socializing

Isolation within academia can pose risks to mental health. Social interaction is therefore one of the best protective measures for psychological well-being.

“You may have chosen to work in a lab because you are reserved as a person, but try to seek support and talk to people,” Kozasa advised.

“It is important to have at least two or three people you trust and can talk to about your struggles,” she adds.

For the full discussion about mental health in graduate studies, read the full interview in this Science Arena article.

* This article may be republished online under the CC-BY-NC-ND Creative Commons license.
The text must not be edited and the author(s) and source (Science Arena) must be credited.