The Wellbeing Thesis is here to help you navigate the ups and downs of postgraduate research

Today we are thrilled to announce the launch of an all-inclusive informational website, The Wellbeing Thesis, for postgraduate research students to support and maintain good mental wellbeing. 

The student mental health conversation has, at times, focused little on the unique experiences and pressures that postgraduate research students face. Students describe the pressure to publish, the expectation to work long hours, and isolating working conditions as just some of the negative experiences they face as postgraduate researchers. The notion that stress and overwork are a necessary rite of passage for postgraduate research students can normalise poor mental health. A tailored intervention for PGR mental health could not be more timely.

The Wellbeing Thesis has been created in collaboration with the University of Derby and King’s College London. The website supports postgraduates across the whole student research journey to help improve their mental health. It takes a prevention and early intervention approach to support their mental wellbeing.

Postgraduate research students took a central role in content development of the website. As experts by experience, they joined co-creational panels to give us an understanding of their unique experiences and helped us to explore what content would be useful for other PGR students. In addition, we completed a rigorous literature review to further inform topics and research behind the content of the website.
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 The Wellbeing Thesis can help you to:

• Set yourself up to do the best
• Challenge common postgraduate myths
• Feel in control of your postgraduate journey
• Plan on the next steps following on from your studies

Postgraduate research students should not have to sacrifice their health to complete their research. With the right support and guidance, it is possible to navigate the ups and downs of your studies, maintain positive wellbeing and thrive during your research.

The website provides a national, open-access web-resource, hosted by Student Minds and it is funded by the Office for Students and Research England.