Mental health in higher education – MINDS companion research project has been successfully launched
Connecting research initiatives on the mental health of students and PhD students
Mental health is a key prerequisite for successful studying and PhD research and therefore a fundamental basis for successful professional development. However, the number of students and PhD students experiencing psychological distress has been steadily increasing. As a result, the topic is receiving growing attention in academia, politics, and higher education practice. In order to address research gaps and respond to current challenges, the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (abbrev. German: BMFTR) is funding ten research projects on the mental health of students and PhD students, as well as a companion project to foster networking, within the funding priority “Research on Science and Higher Education (abbrev. German: WiHo)”.
The companion project MINDS (Moderation, Integration and Networks for the Mental Health of PhD students and Students) is being implemented over a period of 42 months under the leadership of Prof.in Dr.in Eike Quilling at Bochum University of Applied Sciences.
“With MINDS, we have the opportunity to support a wide range of outstanding, in some cases large-scale, research projects. A network unlike any previously established in Germany is emerging here, offering the opportunity to consolidate nationwide data on the mental health of students and doctoral candidates and to use this as a basis for jointly developing targeted approaches for a healthier academic system.”
Aims of the MINDS companion project
MINDS aims to promote health-oriented higher education institutions and enable healthy studying and PhD research on the basis of a comprehensive data foundation. To achieve this, the findings of the funded research projects will be systematically consolidated, and joint recommendations for action will be developed for policymakers and higher education institutions in order to sustainably strengthen the mental health of students and PhD students.
To this end, MINDS actively and continuously promotes exchange between the participating stakeholders in order to establish a strong network for student mental health. Through joint events, workshops, and video conferences, findings are discussed, experiences are pooled, and practical solution approaches are developed.
“We see MINDS as a connecting element between the research projects. Our focus is on bringing together the diverse perspectives of the individual projects and using them to generate momentum for sustainable change within the higher education system.”
Joint Launch to strengthen mental health in higher education and PhD students research
On 31 March 2026, the MINDS collaborative project officially commenced with around 50 researchers from across Germany. During a large-scale video conference, experts from the ten research projects on the mental health of students and PhD students exchanged ideas and perspectives.
“We are delighted by the strong response and the successful launch. The event demonstrated the considerable commitment and expertise embedded within the research projects.”
From the very beginning of the kick-off event, it became clear to all participants that this initiative represents more than just a platform for exchange. Through short project presentations, participants gained insights into the diverse research initiatives and quickly identified shared themes and initial points of connection for deeper collaboration. This highlighted the potential for jointly addressing thematic intersections and strategically combining knowledge from the individual research projects within dedicated working groups.
Foundation for cross-project networking established
The launch marks an important milestone and lays the foundation for closer collaboration with and between the collaborative projects. The aim is to establish a nationwide database and, building on this, develop cross-project approaches to strengthen the mental health of students and doctoral candidates in the long term.
“MINDS is therefore not merely a companion project, but a shared step towards a higher education landscape that makes mental health visible, takes it seriously, and actively promotes it.”
Coordination and research staff within the MINDS companion project
Michelle Baus
Faculty of Health Sciences
Bochum University of Applied Sciences
Health Campus Site
Gesundheitscampus 6–8
44801 Bochum
Germany
T +49 234 36186 9332
minds@hs-bochum.de
Antonia Paeschke
Faculty of Health Sciences
Bochum University of Applied Sciences
Health Campus Site
Gesundheitscampus-Süd 9
44801 Bochum
Germany
T +49 234 36186 9343
minds@hs-bochum.de