Mental well-being during your PhD
Doing a PhD is an exciting journey, but can at times be challenging and/or stressful. At CAPHRI you are not doing a PhD alone, you are embedded in a larger academic community. On this webpage you will find practical advice to help you manage and improve your mental well-being as a PhD candidate.
In case you are experiencing any problems, minor or major, we think talking to someone about it is an important first step. There is no easy fix, and while there are resources at CAPHRI and Maastricht University available to PhD candidates, we realise it may be difficult to find out where to start. Therefore, we have assembled resources that focus on mental well-being. We hope that this may be helpful to you. If there is anything that you are missing, please feel free to reach out to us (see CAPHRI contact persons).
Contact persons and resources
CAPHRI contact persons
In case of questions or experienced difficulties, there is always a CAPHRI colleague there for you:
Peer support
Would you like to talk to other CAPHRI PhD candidates and share your thoughts informally over a coffee or tea together? Do you need a listening ear and find recognition with other PhD candidates? We are offering online peer support sessions. Peer support is not only for those who are having issues. PhDs can help each other to face the challenges together and stay well by offering a listening ear to each other and sharing experiences. If you would like to join, please send an e-mail to info-phdcaphri@maastrichtuniversity.nl or the PhD representatives (caphri-phdreps@maastrichtuniversity.nl).
Mental support
Find more information regarding mental support at Maastricht University and in Maastricht:
- Coach*: If you are experiencing stress that adversely affects your work, you can seek counselling from a coach from the Staff Career Centre. More information (log in to intranet first)
-
Occupational Health Physician*: offers advice and guidance to employees regarding (mental) illness (before, during and after illness). More information (log in to intranet first)
- List of therapists in Maastricht
- Or search for a professional psychologist via these websites: www.psyned.nl, www.lvvp.info, www.kiezenindeggz.nl. You can also ask your GP.
*only for PhD candidates who are employed by UM / MUMC+.
Personal and professional development
By participating in lectures, workshops and training courses you get the chance to develop yourself personally and professionally.
- Staff Career Centre (SCC)*: The SCC offers courses on career management, transferable skills and personal development related to work & career in case you are employed at Maastricht University. Did you know the coaches Hanneke and Olga also offer individual coaching, which is free of charge?
- GoodHabitz online training offers you a wide range of training courses, from short to longer, interactive, fun and with inspiring videos. E.g.: "
A different way of working together",
"Physical and mental fitness", "Peak performance mode off" or "Self-reflection and resilience".
*only for PhD candidates who are employed by UM / MUMC+.
Resources & Inspiration
If you’d like tips for online courses, videos, apps, podcasts, books, on well-being, etc. please visit this website. We already made a selection for you:
Stress & resilience:
- MIND Korrelatie: Psychische en psychosociale hulp, online en telefonisch
- Make mistakes and learn from failure / Video Growth Mindset versus Fixed Mindset
- Caring Universities: iCare Prevent module
Apps & podcasts/Low Mood:
Other UM contact persons
In case of work-related conflicts, undesirable behaviour or integrity issues, you can contact our CAPHRI PhD Confidential Advisors. It is also possible to approach the following (non-CAPHRI) persons:
Road map 'scientific integrity and social safety' for PhD candidates.
External PhD support
- Online PhD support: Arjenne Louter, who has been supporting PhD students for over 12,5 years, offers completely free online PhD support. Register here.
Stress management for PhDs: boost your resilience!
During a PhD, stress is somehow considered to be ‘part of the deal’. For many, a PhD is the first job after graduation. However, it is not just a ‘regular’ job. You are often a sort of jack-of-all trades: you are a researcher, a teacher, a trainer, a project manager, a quality controller. You have to keep all the balls in the air to reach the finish line. This can sometimes be stressful. In addition, it can also affect your well-being. A PhD journey takes time, patience and sustained effort: it's a marathon rather than a sprint. Angelique de Rijk, professor in Work and Health, gives you some advice on how to boost your resilience.
