Guides, Reports

Graduate Student Mental Health and Well-being

Project Summary

A growing body of evidence indicates that mental health challenges are common among graduate students. Unfortunately, many barriers exist to effective support and care. Beginning in 2019, CGS and The JED Foundation undertook a project to create an evidence base to inform future policies, programs and resources. Below are the results of that project, including the report, “Supporting Graduate Student Mental Health and Well-being: Evidence-Informed Recommendations for the Graduate Community.”

Report and Recommendations

On April 29, 2021, CGS and the JED Foundation released a report, “Supporting Graduate Student Mental Health and Well-being: Evidence-Informed Recommendations for the Graduate Community,” which contextualizes the urgency of this issue and includes results from a CGS member survey, priority areas for future research, and examples of programs aligned with key recommendations. The findings and recommendations summarized in the report are intended to provide a starting point for discussion and action for all campus groups with a vested interest in the quality of graduate education, including presidents and provosts, graduate deans, department chairs, faculty members, graduate students, and funders. Also embedded in the report is a “Statement of Principles and Commitments of Graduate Deans,” which provides institutions a blueprint for action to support the academic success and well-being of all students.

The report and supplemental documents related to it can be viewed and downloaded below.

Webinar: Supporting Graduate Student Mental Health and Well-being: Evidence and Recommendations to Catalyze Action

View the Webinar

Consultant Papers

CGS and JED commissioned three essays on aspects of graduate student mental health and well-being. Authored by experts in their fields, these explore cultural and organizational issues surrounding graduate student mental health; issues specific to international students, and legal issues.

 

Other Resources

In Partnership with

 

Project Funders