Dr. Kaylynne Glover on the Graduate Student Mental Health Crisis

Our exploration of issues facing graduate students continues in this week’s episode, featuring a conversation with Dr. Kaylynne Glover. She is the Co-Founder & Policy Director of FAARM, which is an advocacy organization for graduate students. The discussion focuses primarily on graduate student mental health, what causes it, and what institutions can do to better support the needs of this population.

Show Notes:

• NAGPS - http://nagps.org/
• Future of Research - http://futureofresearch.org/    
• Student rights:
  • Boston University: https://www.bumc.bu.edu/gms/files/2009/07/Fair-expectations_Grad-final1.pdf
  • University of Texas Integrative Biology https://integrativebio.utexas.edu/images/IB/IBGraduateStudentBillofRights.pdf‍
  • The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine:  https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/the-science-of-effective-mentoring-in-stemm

Key Takeaways

• Graduate Mental Health is a Unique Crisis: Graduate students experience mental health challenges at rates significantly higher than the general population and undergraduates due to the unique dynamics of their programs.
• Advisor-Student Dynamics are Central: The relationship between advisors and graduate students is both critical and fraught with potential for harm, underscoring the need for mentorship reform and structural support.
• Actionable Solutions Exist: From enforceable mentorship agreements to emergency funding provisions, there are tangible steps universities can take immediately to address graduate student well-being.
• The Role of Faculty is Key: Faculty must receive training on effective mentorship practices, with accountability mechanisms in place to ensure standards are upheld.
• Institutions Must Show They Care: Transparent policies, clear boundaries, and accessible mental health resources signal an institution’s commitment to its graduate student community.

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Episode Summary

What is the Graduate Student Mental Health Crisis?

Graduate students are experiencing a severe mental health crisis, with rates of depression and anxiety six times higher than the general population. Kaylynne highlights sobering statistics:

• 40% of doctoral students suffer from moderate to severe depression or anxiety.
• 10% have considered suicide, and 2% have made active plans.
• Half of all doctoral students drop out before completing their programs.

These alarming numbers stem from unique stressors within graduate education, including financial instability, unclear advisor dynamics, and lack of institutional safeguards.

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What Makes Graduate Programs So Challenging?

Graduate students occupy a unique space, distinct from undergraduates and professional students:

• Advisor Power Dynamics: Advisors play a central role in shaping students’ research, coursework, and even employment. This intense dependence, coupled with limited oversight, can create toxic environments.
• Financial Strain: Graduate students often work full-time while being paid below a living wage. They are frequently prohibited from taking outside jobs, leaving them financially vulnerable.
• Lack of Recourse: The subjective and unregulated nature of graduate programs makes it difficult for students to seek help or change advisors without derailing their careers.

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What Are the Solutions?

Kaylynne outlines several actionable steps for institutions to address the crisis:

1. Enforceable Student Rights: Universities should establish graduate-specific rights, such as protection from tasks unrelated to professional development or the freedom to pursue non-academic careers without penalty.
2. Flexible Advising Structures: Implementing co-advising, first-year rotations, and emergency transfer funding can provide students with alternatives to harmful advisor relationships.
3. Mentorship Training and Accountability: Faculty should undergo training on effective mentorship practices, with mentorship quality tied to tenure and promotion decisions.
4. Mentorship Agreements: Clear, bidirectional agreements outlining expectations and boundaries can create healthier advisor-advisee relationships and serve as recruitment tools.

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Why Do Institutions Need to Act Now?

The graduate student mental health crisis is both a moral and practical issue. With half of doctoral students dropping out, institutions risk losing talented scholars while creating environments that harm student well-being. Kaylynne emphasizes that these solutions are low-cost and can be implemented immediately to make a meaningful difference.

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