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Get the university to make all staff who supervise research students take Mental Health First Aid training

In a 2019 survey conducted by Nature (one of the highest impact-factor scientific journals), 36% of PhD students had described struggling with anxiety or depression directly related to their degrees (significantly higher than the rate of the general population). With the significant additional burdens caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this number is only set to increase further. 

University staff who directly supervise research students (such as PhD or MRes candidates) have both a professional and pastoral relationship with their supervisees. Especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, research supervisors are one of the main links between the University and research postgraduates, often having weekly meetings to check in on their students. 
 

Due to this close working relationship between supervisors and their students, I believe that supervisors have, to some extent, a duty of care towards their PGRs, especially with regards to mental health, which can be hugely influenced by supervisors in both positive and negative ways. 
 

Due to the nature of this relationship, I believe it would be universally beneficial to have research supervisors undertake mandatory mental health first aid training, so that they can recognise, appropriately respond to, and/or signpost any supervisees which appear to be struggling with their mental health.

Hopefully this initiative would help to create a more open, honest and understanding atmosphere in the oft-cold and harsh environment of academia, enabling more postgraduate researchers to get the mental health help and support that they desperately need. 
 

Limk to Nature article: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-03489-1

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