Rethinking Doctoral Wellbeing: A Relational Approach to the Mental Health Crisis in Academia

The mental health crisis among doctoral students has reached a critical level, with high rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout that severely impact their academic performance and overall wellbeing. This paper offers a novel perspective by reframing doctoral wellbeing as fundamentally relational, examining how mental health is influenced by interconnected factors. We explore the complex pressures faced by doctoral students, including academic demands, student-supervisor relationships, financial insecurity, and cultural transitions, while emphasising the importance of supportive networks, intersectional identity considerations, and institutional structures. Our critical review identifies significant barriers to seeking help, the role of stigma, and systemic challenges within academic institutions that exacerbate mental health challenges for marginalised groups. Building on this relational understanding, we provide actionable recommendations at the systemic, community, and individual levels to foster a more inclusive, supportive, and mentally healthy academic environment. These recommendations include providing increased access to specialised mental health services, promoting mental health literacy, prioritising work-life balance, and prescribing equitable financial support, laying a foundation for sustainable change in doctoral education.