The 2019 Summit, “Cultural Contexts of Health and Well-being in Graduate Education,” addressed a critical issue that affects graduate education leaders across the world. Recent studies suggest graduate students are at greater risk for stress and depression than the general population. One study found that 39% of surveyed graduate students suffered from depression, as compared to 6% of the general population.

Most would agree that they face a range of challenges, including social isolation, imposter syndrome, concerns about job placement, and financial strains. Addressing these concerns while working to destigmatize mental health treatment has become a priority in the graduate education community, but many wonder where to begin.

The 2019 Summit attendees considered areas for improvement, including assessing points of intervention, training mentors, cultivating supportive environments, improving access to campus health services, and improving internal reporting structures.

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