www.insidehighered.com: Several studies suggest that graduate students are at greater risk for mental health issues than those in the general population. This is largely due to social isolation, the often abstract nature of the work and feelings of inadequacy -- not to mention the slim tenure-track job market. But a new study in Nature Biotechnology warns, in no uncertain terms, of a mental health “crisis” in graduate education.
2 comments:
I found it interesting, as an undergraduate, to hear that the graduate students struggle the most with depression and anxiety. I guess from my point of view I always saw the graduates as having their lives more under control and figure out; a balanced life, etc. I am not deceived into thinking at a certain age you stop struggling with depression and anxiety but I guess being older I assumed you knew how to take care of yourself since you have spent more years with yourself than I have. I found it interesting that this article was promoting a balanced life. I know that a lot of industries can be demanding but it feels that one of the largest committing industry is entertainment. I have already found it incredibly hard to know when to walk away from work for my own mental health and I feel like it is only going to get harder as the projects become bigger, more important, and then when my income depends on them. I am looking for programs that will start flourishing because of this dilemma that many struggle with. A program that can help support people who need to take a step away from their work and a step towards maintaining a healthy mindset about themselves and life.
It is really no secret that graduate students have a rough time academically. It was nice to see the mental and psychological issues of PhD students being addressed, but what would have been nice is if the article and the research behind it also did the same with Masters students. Some graduates who are at the masters level may be more prone to the mental and psychological issues raised since, for most, this is their first time in a graduate program. It would be interesting to see a comparison study of those grad students who are pursuing a second or third graduate degree versus when they first did so. I don’t feel like schools do enough to help with the work/life balance of their graduate students. Many try to offer things and programs and outings, but where it really matters is the academic workload. I knew coming to graduate school would be tough on my personal life. Where the failure occurs for most is that the school constantly demands and rarely gives. It would be nice to not have to see the inside of the classroom for so much of my day.
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