Considering graduate student mental health

Authors

• Carmen M. McCallum, Eastern Michigan University
• Sarah Kurz
• Emily J. Boerman
• Allison Boone
• David J. Nguyen
• Christina W. Yao
• Ann E. Austin

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

2022

Department/School

Leadership and Counseling

Publication Title

A Handbook for Supporting Today's Graduate Students

Abstract

This chapter reviews extant literature on graduate students’ mental health in order to increase our understanding of how mental health challenges impact their school experiences. It illuminates the ways participants in an empirical study suggested colleges and universities could support graduate students with mental health challenges as they navigate their degree programs. The chapter highlights the applicability of the participants’ suggestions and offers suggestions for future research on graduate student mental health. Nontraditional students, including those with families, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities, are more likely to be impacted by mental health issues. Mental health challenges impact graduate students’ academic performance, retention, and graduation rates. Graduate students rarely seek mental health support from their institution. Developing relationships centers around graduate students’ need for feelings of support and a sense of mattering.

Comments

C. M. McCallum is a faculty member in EMU's Department of Leadership and Counseling.

Recommended Citation

McCallum, C. M., Kurz, S., Boerman, E. J., & Boone, A. (2022). Considering graduate student mental health. In D. J. Nguyen, C. W. Yao, & A. E. Austin (Eds.), A handbook for supporting today’s graduate students. Routledge.