Mental Health in Academic Work Life
Working Together to Strengthen Mental Health and Wellbeing
The academic qualification phase offers a wide range of opportunities, but it is also often accompanied by significant challenges. Early career researchers bring a high level of motivation, commitment, and innovative spirit to their work. At the same time, research careers are often characterized by precarious working conditions and temporary employment, high performance expectations, including pressure to publish and secure external funding, as well as complex career transitions.
These conditions can affect both physical and mental health: Many researchers report that stress, excessive workload, and uncertainty negatively impact their well-being, job satisfaction, and ability to perform at their best. We support early career researchers by creating an environment that promotes well-being, helps them thrive, and fosters sustainable career development.
For us, mental health means more than the absence of mental illness. It describes the ability to cope with the challenges of everyday academic life, to realize one’s full potential, and to maintain health and well-being throughout an academic career.
We therefore see mental health not solely as an individual responsibility. It is also shaped by the conditions under which academic work takes place. Alongside personal strategies for maintaining health and well-being, supportive structures, clear guidance, and opportunities for exchange are essential.
Our services address both perspectives: They strengthen individual resources through counselling, workshops, and dialogue, while also facilitating access to support services and health-promoting structures both within and beyond the university.
Our work is guided by the recommendations of the UniWiND publication “Mentale Gesundheit in der Promotionsphase" [German language] as well as the World Health Organization’s (WHO) understanding of health .
How We Support You
Individual Counselling and Coaching
In confidential conversations, you will have the opportunity to reflect on your current challenges, identify appropriate support options, and develop effective coping strategies.
Together, we will also explore the extent to which these challenges are shaped by structural conditions. This process can help you better understand your scope for action, develop realistic expectations about existing constraints, and clarify where responsibility lies.
At the same time, you will receive emotional support and explore practices that promote self-care and long-term well-being.
Peer Exchange and Networking
Research doesn't have to be a solitary journey.
Connecting with other researchers provides orientation, strengthens mutual support, and opens up new perspectives for navigating academic challenges.
- Together: Peer group coaching for international doctoral researchers at UDE
- mentoring³ for female doctoral and postdoctoral researchers within the University Alliance Ruhr
- meet and connect: Networking events for the Junior Faculty at UDE
- International Researcher Compass
Workshops and Training
Our qualification programmes equip researchers with skills that empower them at various stages of their careers.
For example:
- Managing stress and workload
- Time management
- Conflict management
- Resilience
- Decision-making
- Leadership
- Navigating career transitions
For doctoral researchers at UDE, these topics are covered as part of the (Home) Training Days. For all career stages, corresponding workshops are offered under the umbrella of the UA Ruhr Research Academy.
Your Contact Persons at GC Plus
Would you like to learn more about our services or explore which type of support might be right for your situation?
We provide confidential and individualized support for researchers at different stages of their academic qualification journey. Together, we will identify the type of support that best meets your needs—whether through GC Plus or through other services and contacts within or beyond the university.
Please note: All our counsellors have completed the Mental Health First Aider training provided by the Central Institute for Mental Health (Mannheim). This enables them to recognize signs of psychological distress at an early stage, respond and address them appropriately, and connect you with suitable sources of support.
Your Contact
Additional Support Services at the UDE
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Support in Acute Crisis Situations
If you are experiencing an acute mental health crisis or require immediate assistance, please contact the appropriate emergency or crisis support services directly:
1. The telephone counseling service available by phone, email, or chat
2. Crisis Support Service of TelefonSeelsorge Duisburg–Mülheim–Oberhausen
3. Psychiatric outpatient emergency services at a nearby hospital, for example:
4. In life-threatening emergencies or situations involving immediate risk, please contact your local emergency services by calling 112 (ambulance, fire brigade, or police, depending on the emergency).