Storm, Stress, Silence: A Focus Group Examination of Mental Health Culture and Challenges Among Graduate Students Currently or Previously Experiencing Depression

Abstract

The current study explored depression, help-seeking, and academic struggles among graduate students. Focus groups were conducted with graduate students who self-reported currently or previously experiencing depression. Mental health, help-seeking, and campus mental health culture were discussed. Participants described the emergence or reemergence of mental health challenges. Although some reported feeling comfortable discussing depression with friends, participants noted minimal institutional openness about mental health, being expected to be mentally and physically exhausted, and fear of stigmatization.

A Fieldwork Story Told Through Knitting

“…Many studies have highlighted the precarious positions that many graduate students find themselves in, as the number of people pursuing doctoral degrees have increased over the years while the number of academic positions decline in intensively competitive neoliberal academic environments and polarising political landscapes (Loher et al, 2019;Nature, 2019;Siegel & Keeler, 2020). Based on a survey of 2279 graduate students (90% Ph.D. and 10% Master's students) from 26 countries Evans et al (2018: 282) found that graduate students were six times more likely to experience anxiety and depression than the general population.…”

“…This emotion work is constantly present during and beyond the various stages of doing research but is not often made visible in the work that we publish. Perhaps, this is partially due to the institutional silences and stigmatisation of mental health struggles that permeate academia, particularly as experienced by graduate students (Siegel & Keeler, 2020). Furthermore, emotions are often left out in the reporting of research findings as we worry that it will be taken as signs that a researcher lacks objectivity and mental strength to "make it" as a serious scholar.…”

Supporting mental health and wellness in a graduate teacher preparation program

“…The campus atmosphere impacts student engagement and their sense of belonging (Museus & Saelua, 2017). Research suggests that student participation in creating an inviting climate where mental health is acknowledged as a challenge in graduate school can help counter the adverse effects associated with graduate studies (Gray et al, 2017;Siegel & Keeler, 2020). Further, when faculty give students a voice and mental health is a focus within a department, students' research productivity is improved (Beasley et al, 2020).…”

“…One issue related to mental health in higher education is the stigma associated with mental health disorders and seeking help. Researchers mention stigma as an element that requires specific attention and focused intervention (Xiao et al, 2017;Siegel & Keeler, 2020;Mazurek Melnyk et al, 2020). This theme in the research is an important consideration for institutions given the rising incidence of mental health distress.…”

“…Creating and cultivating a culture of understanding and support can help counter the stigma around mental health issues. In a study that explored depression, help seeking, and academic struggles, graduate students described an expectation of exhaustion in graduate school reinforced by faculty and institutional culture, leading them to believe others felt mental health issues were not that serious (Siegel & Keeler, 2020). Participants expressed that depression was something students were not able to discuss openly and that if professors knew of their struggles, they would be embarrassed (Siegel identified as a factor in help-seeking behaviors (Rafal et al, 2018).…”