Navigating the Mental Health Crisis in Indian PhD Programs: Breaking the Silence and Finding Solutions

 


Are you a PhD student in India feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed? You're not alone. A shocking 80% of PhD scholars in India report experiencing mental health issues, with 60% considering dropping out due to these challenges. Yet, despite these alarming numbers, the topic remains largely taboo in Indian academia.

This article breaks the silence surrounding the mental health crisis affecting thousands of doctoral students across India. We'll explore the root causes, share real stories from students who've faced these challenges, and offer practical solutions for students, supervisors, and institutions.

The Silent Epidemic: Understanding the Scale

Recent studies paint a troubling picture of mental health among PhD students in India:

  • A 2023 survey at IIT Kanpur found that 80% of PhD scholars reported mental health challenges
  • Nearly 70% of PhD students in Kerala suffered from mild to severe depressive disorders (2021 study)
  • Multiple suicides have been reported at prestigious institutions like IIT Kanpur (5 in 18 months) and IIT Kharagpur (5 suspected in 2025 alone)

Despite these statistics, 62% of students with mental health issues don't seek help from on-campus counseling services. Why? The answer lies in the deep-rooted stigma surrounding mental health in Indian academic culture.

Real Example: Aayushi Khemka, a former PhD student who battled suicidal thoughts during her doctoral studies, shared: "I felt completely alone in my struggle. There was no one I could talk to without fear of judgment or academic consequences. The stigma was suffocating."

Root Causes: Why Are PhD Students Suffering?

1. Toxic Supervisor Relationships

Perhaps the most commonly reported issue is problematic relationships with PhD supervisors. These range from neglect to outright abuse.

Real Example: Rahul (name changed), a PhD student at a prominent university in Delhi, was forced to run personal errands for his supervisor – from grocery shopping to babysitting. "My research was constantly delayed because I was busy doing my guide's household chores. When I objected, he threatened to withhold my fellowship recommendation."

Other reported supervisor issues include:

  • Demanding financial payments or even gold for thesis approval
  • Showing favoritism based on caste or socioeconomic background
  • Verbal harassment and public humiliation
  • Sexual harassment (particularly affecting female students)
  • Withholding funding or delaying graduation as punishment

2. Financial Stressd Uncertainty

For many students, financial insecurity creates constant anxiety:

  • Scholarships are often insufficient (typically ₹31,000-₹35,000 monthly)
  • Disbursals are frequently delayed by months
  • Students from economically weaker sections are more vulnerable to severe depression
  • The uncertain job market after graduation adds additional pressure

Real Example: Priya, a PhD student in Bangalore, shared: "My scholarship hasn't been disbursed for four months. I've exhausted my savings and had to borrow money from friends just to pay rent. How am I supposed to focus on research when I'm worried about basic survival?"

3. Academic Pressure and Imposter Syndrome

The pressure to publish, present at conferences, and produce groundbreaking research creates enormous stress:

Real Example: Ritika Mahajan openly discussed her struggles with imposter syndrome during her PhD journey in 2023: "I constantly felt I wasn't smart enough or deserving enough to be there. Every day was a battle against self-doubt, even though externally I was performing well."

4. Isolation and Lack of Community

Approximately 33% of PhD students report feeling isolated or lacking friends:

  • Research work is often solitary
  • Competitive environments discourage collaboration
  • International students face additional cultural and language barriers
  • Remote research locations can physically isolate students

5. Work-Life Imbalance

The expectation of constant work leads to burnout:

  • Many supervisors expect 7-day workweeks
  • No clear boundaries between personal and academic life
  • Guilt associated with taking breaks
  • Limited time for family, relationships, or self-care

Institutional Failures: Where Universities Fall Short

Most Indian universities lack adequate mental health support systems:

  • Insufficient number of counselors (though some institutions like IIT Kharagpur are improving, with 10 new counselors appointed in September 2025)
  • Limited awareness of available resources
  • Lack of specialized support for academic-specific issues
  • Absence of clear grievance redressal mechanisms (40% of institutions lack formal policies)
  • Cultural resistance to acknowledging mental health as a legitimate concern

Breaking the Stigma: Changing the Conversation

The first step toward change is breaking the silence around mental health in academia:

Real Example: After recovering from her own mental health crisis, Aayushi Khemka co-founded "Mental Health Talks India," an initiative that creates safe spaces for students to discuss their struggles without judgment. "We need to normalize these conversations," she explains. "Mental health challenges don't make you weak or unsuitable for academia – they make you human."

Finding Solutions: Practical Strategies

Students:

  1. Build a support network

    • Connect with fellow PhD students who understand your challenges
    • Join online communities like PhD Support Groups on social media
    • Maintain relationships outside academia for perspective

  2. Set boundaries

    • Establish clear working hours
    • Take weekends off when possible
    • Learn to say no to unreasonable demands

  3. Develop healthy coping mechanisms

    • Regular physical activity (even 20 minutes of walking daily helps)
    • Mindfulness and meditation practices
    • Hobbies unrelated to your research

  4. Document everything

    • Keep records of all communications with supervisors
    • Save evidence of any inappropriate demands or behavior
    • Know your rights as a student

  5. Seek help early -. Seek help early

    • Don't wait until crisis point to access support
    • Utilize anonymous helplines if you're concerned about stigma
    • Remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness

For Supervisors and Institutions:

  1. Create transparent expectations

    • Clear guidelines on working hours, meeting frequency, and feedback timelines
    • Written agreements between students and supervisors

  2. Establish robust support systems

    • Regular check-ins on student wellbeing
    • Adequate counseling resources with specialized academic knowledge
    • Anonymous reporting mechanisms for abusive behavior

  3. Promote work-life balance

    • Encourage time off and vacations
    • Recognize achievements beyond publications
    • Model healthy behaviors

  4. Implement accountability measures

    • Regular evaluation of supervisor effectiveness
    • Consequences for abusive behavior
    • Alternative supervision arrangements when relationships break down

Resources: Where to Find Help

National Resources:

  • Tele MANAS (National Tele Mental Health Programme): Free 24/7 support in multiple languages. Dial 14416 or 1-800-891-4416. Has handled over 1.81 million calls as of February 2025.

  • iCall: Psychosocial helpline operated by TISS. Call 9152987821 (Monday-Saturday, 10am-8pm)

Institutional Initiatives:

  • IIT Kharagpur: 'Setu' mobile app and 24/7 counseling helpline
  • IIT Madras: "BeHappy" initiative and Wellness Centre
  • Ashoka University: Centre for Well-Being (ACWB)

Online Communities:

  • PhD Mental Health India (Facebook group)
  • Academic Mental Health Collective (international resource with Indian members)
  • Mental Health Talks India (founded by former PhD students Recent Policy Changes and Developments

The mental health crisis is finally gaining attention from regulatory bodies:

  • UGC Directives (January 2025): Stern warning to universities regarding non-compliance with PhD guidelines
  • Supreme Court Intervention (September 2025): Directive to UGC to consider new regulations to combat harassment and discrimination
  • Institutional Changes: IIT Kanpur is considering a "no-termination policy" to reduce pressure on students

Conclusion: A Call for Systemic Change

The mental health crisis among PhD students in India isn't just an individual problem—it's a systemic issue requiring comprehensive solutions. While personal coping strategies are important, real change requires institutional reform, cultural shifts, and policy interventions.

If you're a PhD student struggling with mental health challenges, remember: you're not alone, your struggles are valid, and seeking help is both brave and necessary. Together, we can break the silence and create a healthier academic environment for all.

Have you experienced mental health challenges during your PhD journey? Share your stories or suggestions in the comments below. Your voice matters in this important conversation.


Email

hello@phdindia.com, www.phdindia.com

Phone& Whatsapp

+91 8870574178

Office Address

1st Floor, 6/21A, West Bazaar, Anjugramam – 629401, Tamil Nadu



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Great Skills Mismatch: Bridging the Gap Between a Perfect Resume and a Perfect Hire

Image
  Have you ever spent hours perfecting your resume, only to feel like it disappears into a digital black hole? Or, on the flip side, as a hiring manager, have you scrolled through hundreds of impressive CVs, yet still struggled to find candidates who can truly do the job from day one? This shared frustration points to one of the biggest challenges in today's job market: The Great Skills Mismatch. It’s the widening gap between what looks good on paper and what actually translates into on-the-job excellence. At Jobsglobal.in, we understand this pain, and we believe it’s a systemic issue, not a personal failing on either side. It’s time to bridge this gap for a more efficient and humane hiring process. The Job Seeker's Dilemma: My Skills Are Real, But My Resume Can't Show Them All For job seekers, crafting a perfect resume often feels like a puzzle. You’re trying to distill years of experience, a unique personality, and a diverse skillset into a one-page document optimized ...
Read more

The Living Heart of Anjugramam: More Than a 'Poor Man's Nagercoil'

Image
  They call it the ‘poor man’s Nagercoil’. A label of convenience, perhaps. A quick way to place a dot on a map in relation to a larger city. But to those who know it, Anjugramam is not defined by what it lacks. It is defined by what it gives. It is not a shadow of another place; it is its own vibrant, beating heart. This is not a town you simply   visit . It is a town you   listen to . Come, walk with us. Let's uncover the stories in our streets. The Welcome is in the Walls: Architecture as Autobiography Your journey begins not with a landmark, but with a feeling. The air is thick with the scent of jasmine and fresh earth. Look up. The architecture here isn't designed for tourists; it’s built for life. Notice the old   tharavadu   homes, with their generous courtyards and sloping roofs. They aren't monuments frozen in time; they are living albums. The faded blue on one wall tells of a wedding decades ago. The new pot of tulsi plants by the doorway speaks of a d...
Read more

Beyond Computer Science: The Rise of AI in Indian Humanities & Social Sciences PhDs

Image
  For decades, the pursuit of a PhD in Indian Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) has often been perceived as a journey into the past—a deep, critical dive into historical texts, sociological surveys, philosophical treatises, and literary canons. Meanwhile, the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been racing toward the future, seemingly confined to the labs of Computer Science and Engineering. But a quiet revolution is underway. The most groundbreaking, fundable, and future-ready research is now happening at the intersection of these two worlds. If you are a PhD aspirant in India wondering how to make your research truly original and impactful, the answer might not be in a new archive, but in a new algorithm. Why Now? The Perfect Storm for AI in HSS Research This isn't about a fleeting trend. A convergence of factors makes this the ideal moment for Indian HSS scholars to embrace AI: Data Deluge:  India is generating unprecedented amounts of data—from social media and di...
Read more