Investigating PhD students’ wellbeing and mental health: towards evidence-led and innovative solutions

PhD candidates face elevated risks of anxiety, depression, and burnout. Yet, mental health in doctoral education remains under-addressed and insufficiently supported by systematic data and interventions. In response, the Italian Ministry of University and Research launched PRO-BEN, a nationwide initiative aimed at investigating and promoting undergraduate and graduate student wellbeing. Within this framework, the “ Health Mode On ” project engages 10 universities and conservatories across Italy, targeting nearly 12,000 students, with a specific focus on doctoral candidates. As part of the assessment component, a survey adapted from the World Mental Health International College Student (WMH-ICS) initiative was expanded through a Delphi-informed process to include lifestyle-related domains. A pilot study conducted in July 2025 at the University of Pavia involved 352 PhD students (36.3% response rate). Preliminary findings showed a 12-month prevalence of 18.5% for mood disorders and 25.0% for anxiety disorders, highlighting a substantial burden of mental health conditions. By integrating epidemiological assessment with evidence-led interventions, training, and institutional engagement, the project aims to provide a scalable framework to support doctoral wellbeing.