First aid for mental health problems

Working in science can lead to a high level of psychological stress. A large study from Belgium, for example, showed that the risk of doctoral researchers developing depression or other mental illnesses is significantly increased. Under pandemic conditions, the stress situation of many doctoral students has become even worse. "The University of Jena has reacted to this development," explains Uwe Cantner, Vice-President for Young Researchers and Diversity Management at the University of Jena. "We have set up a team that provides mental health first aid and created a website on promoting mental health during the doctorate." The Mental Health First Aid team consists of specially trained first aiders who act as an important first point of contact for those with concerns about their mental health to provide immediate help in an uncomplicated manner. "The team hails from a wide variety of our institutions and is available to doctoral candidates, postdocs and all'other university employees," explains Cantner. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an internationally recognised programme developed in Australia for the early intervention of mental health problems.