ABSTRACT
Doctoral researchers’ struggles with mental health and wellbeing have gained attention in higher education. Prevalence rates of mental illness and ensuing completion rates are important matters to be studied thoroughly. This chapter extends the attention to the first-person experience of doctoral researchers’ struggles. The purpose of this is to provide insight into common pathways of how doctoral researchers’ challenges can take shape as mental health problems, and to suggest how supervisors can promote wellbeing without feeling overwhelmed. The chapter also provides recommendations for preventive and promotive measures to be taken by doctoral programmes and the university at large.
