Graduate Student Mental Health and Well-being

4/29/2019

Mental Health, 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.

Supporting Graduate Student Mental Health and Well-being: Evidence-Informed Recommendations for the Graduate Community (Full Report)
Executive Summary and Recommendations
Communications Toolkit
Call to Action and List of Signatories (last updated January 30th, 2024)

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.

“Unique Challenges and Opportunities for Supporting Mental Health and Promoting the Well-being of International Graduate Students” by Jenny J. Lee (University of Arizona)
“Promoting Graduate Student Wellbeing: Cultural, Organizational, and Environmental Factors in the Academy” by Julie R. Posselt (University of Southern California)
“Balancing Access and Safety for Graduate Students with Mental Health Issues” by Hannah S. Ross (Middlebury College)

Other Resources

“CGS & JED Release Evidence-Informed Recommendations and Resources to Support Graduate Student Mental Health & Well-being” (Press Release)
Webinar: “A Framework on Graduate Student Mental Health: CGS Members Share Ideas and Guidance” (3.16.2021)
Hironao Okahana, “Pressing Issue: Mental Wellness of Graduate Students” (4.9.2018)