January 25, 2021 – Alan Leshner, chief executive emeritus of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, warns that universities must pay special attention to the needs of graduate students, who often juggle their families, career, and school simultaneously.
An encouraging trend over the past decade has shown that students are more willing to access mental health services. However, increased use of services puts extra pressure on counselors and clinics, which is further exacerbated by the pandemic. Hiring more counselors could help, but Leshner says, “Counselling centers are fighting an uphill battle against this culture that works against mental health and emotional well-being.”