Focusing on health, we at CERes want to

• promote the destigmatisation of physical and mental illnesses and impairments in academic life,
• help doctoral researchers and postdocs to take care of their health,
• and help raise the visibility of existing offers.

Here is some bad news: we have a mental health crisis in academia. Here is some good news: mental health issues are slowly getting de-stigmatized.

Have you ever experienced mental stress during your academic work?

If so, you’re not alone with such an experience. Many doctoral researchers and postdocs feel a high degree of prolonged stress, e.g. as a result of increased pressure of time or work, or of uncertainties regarding employment. This can lead to mental problems. As a number of studies have shown, researchers – especially during the doctoral phase – are exposed to a much higher risk of mental illness than other sections of society (cf. Levecque et al., 2017; Evans et al., 2018). In the global postdoc survey carried out by NATURE (2023), 52 percent of those questioned stated that they had already considered leaving the academic world out of concern for their mental health.

We at CERes … will be happy to help you!

• Prevention

  We regularly offer a workshop on the subject of mental health in the academic system. The workshop shows up structural aspects, provides opportunities for exchanging views and promotes the development of individual prevention measures. Find upcoming events in our workshop programme.
  
  If you’re interested in having a similar workshop for your Faculty or for your Graduate School/Research Training Group, and are looking for support, please contact Rebecca Meier.
  
  Your well-being can also be supported by what University Sport (Hochschulsport) and Health Promotion in the Workplace (betriebliche Gesundheitsförderung) have on offer.
  
   

• Networking

  One way to help in dealing with mental stress during the training phase is networking with other doctoral researchers and postdocs.
  
  We offer the following programmes:

  • Buddy programme: Peer-to-peer support between new (international) and experienced doctoral researchers.
  • Community garden: doctoral researchers and postdocs join to take responsibility for planting, growing and harvesting flowers and vegetables.
  • MünsterXchange: intergenerational and intercultural networking in Münster and the Münsterland

  
  For further offers, take a look at the website run by the doctoral researchers’ representatives and the Postdoc Network Münster.

• Who to contact

  Early intervention is just as important in the case of mental health issues. In whatever way we can, we are happy to help you find the right people to contact.
  
  Doctoral researchers

  • Psychological counselling at the Zentrale Studienberatung, ZSB (Student Advice and Counselling Centre)
  • The Procrastination Outpatients Department at the University’s Psychotherapy Outpatients Service (Prokrastinationsambulanz)

  
  Doctoral researchers & postdocs

  • Counselling for staff and management

  
  In situations of acute crisis, please contact

  • LWL-Klinik Münster: 0251 / 91 555-0 (24/7)
  • Helpline: 0800 / 111 0 111 or 0800 / 111 0 222 (24/7)
  • Emergencies No.: 112 (24/7)

Investigate whether you might be entitled to compensation for such disadvantages (Nachteilsausgleich), e.g. in the form of a reduced teaching load or an extension of the time-limit on your employment.

Further information and advice can be given by:

• The Representative Body for Severely Disabled Employees (Schwerbehindertenvertretung) at Münster University
• The Counselling service for staff and management  
• Intranet page on dealing with Health and Social Matters