{"id":6688,"date":"2025-06-24T14:51:08","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T11:51:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuss.mak.ac.ug\/en\/?p=6688"},"modified":"2025-07-24T15:50:38","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T12:50:38","slug":"breaking-the-silence-mental-health-scholars-urge-institutions-to-reform-student-supervisor-dynamics-to-safeguard-graduate-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chuss.mak.ac.ug\/en\/breaking-the-silence-mental-health-scholars-urge-institutions-to-reform-student-supervisor-dynamics-to-safeguard-graduate-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Breaking the Silence: \u00a0Mental Health scholars\u00a0 Urge Institutions to Reform Student-Supervisor Dynamics to Safeguard Graduate Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
By Jane Anyango<\/strong>
Kampala, Uganda \u2014 Saturday June 21, 2025<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Day three of the 2025 CHUSS Graduate Symposium at Makerere University opened with a sobering and  personal  reflection  and plenary session on the theme: Mental health Challenges in Graduate Studies:Handling the Elephant in the Room<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“PhD Should Not Be a Death Sentence: Dr. Isaac Tibasiima Lays Bare the Mental Toll of Graduate Studies”<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In an emotional and candid address, Dr. Isaac Tibasiima, a lecturer, a graduate programmes coordinator  and recently graduated PhD candidate at Makerere University\u2019s  Department of Literature, lifted the veil on the often-overlooked psychological burden carried by PhD students and early-career academics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drawing from his own doctoral journey, Dr. Tibasiima described the PhD experience as one riddled with \u201cmore demons than we can ever imagine,\u201d challenging the assumption that academic excellence insulates scholars from mental health crises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe imagine we are immune because of our education, our status, and position in society. So we hide under the lies about us and slowly we sink into a mire,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The address highlighted a range of mental health stressors: crushing academic workloads, strained personal relationships, unrelenting pressure to publish and teach, and institutional demands to attract funding. Tibasiima likened the system to a production line that reduces human beings to machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI must push myself whether I am well or unwell. I am happy to have been productive, but at what cost?\u201d he asked rhetorically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Isaac Tibasiima (c) with the support team<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

He also shared deeply personal episodes, including losing colleagues and mentors mid-way through his studies, battling post-submission depression, and confronting suicidal thoughts. Tibasiima spoke of developing high blood pressure after submitting his thesis \u2014 a moment that should have marked relief, but instead plunged him into uncertainty and emotional paralysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Citing the loss of Dr. Catherine Anena during the COVID-19 pandemic as a particularly devastating moment, Tibasiima stressed how grief and academic pressure can compound to devastating effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSome people commit suicide, especially in the PhDs. Some people just get so anxious and cave into these anxieties,\u201d he warned, noting that the culture of silence in academia often prevents open conversations about such issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He criticized the lack of adequate mental health support in academic institutions and urged universities to acknowledge and address the psychological burden of graduate education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA PhD should not be a do-or-die thing. We need you to finish \u2014 but more importantly, we need you alive,\u201d he said, to strong applause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Tibasiima called on students and academics alike to cultivate support networks, seek professional counseling, and resist isolation. He emphasized that seeking mental health support is not a sign of weakness but of strength and self-awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBefore things go out of hand, talk to someone. Seeking professional help does not mean you have run mad. It means you care about yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tibasiima\u2019s personal reflection  which preceded academic presentations by Dr Allen Asimwe, Dr. Linda Nakalawa,and Dr. Roscoe Kasujja set a powerful tone for a day focused on well-being, reflection, and community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mental health emerges as a critical concern in higher education globally, Tibasiima\u2019s testimony stands as both a warning and a beacon advocating for institutional reform and cultural change within academic spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are not machines. We are human beings. And because we are human, we need help, connection, and the freedom to be vulnerable,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tibasiima ended with a poignant reminder to all graduate students navigating academic turbulence: \u201cMay the force go with you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Participants attending the saturday morning session in the main hall<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Scholars and mental health advocates, took center stage to address some of the most overlooked but damaging factors in graduate student well-being including student-supervisor relationship,institutional demands, emotional health, mindset and communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Asiimwe shed light on the toxic dynamics that often characterize supervision in graduate programs \u2014 a key driver of stress, depression, anxiety, and even attrition among students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cResearch shows that up to 50% of graduate students report anxiety or depression, and these are often linked to strained supervision relationships,\u201d she said. \u201cIf we are to foster healthy academic environments, we must be intentional about how supervision is handled.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unhealthy Supervision Styles and the Call for Reform<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Asiimwe addressed the detrimental impact of unhealthy supervision styles on graduate students\u2019 mental health and academic progress, emphasizing the urgent need for structural reform. She identified several damaging supervisory behaviors that undermine students’ confidence and well-being. Among the most harmful is authoritarianism<\/strong>, where supervisors excessively control students\u2019 work instead of guiding their intellectual growth. \u201cSupervision is not control,\u201d she stressed. \u201cIt\u2019s about mentoring and facilitating intellectual growth.\u201d Another critical issue is public shaming<\/strong>, particularly during presentations, where students are humiliated in front of peers. Such acts, she warned, do not build resilience but instead “break students.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr Allen Asimmwe speaking on supervisor student relationship<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Neglect and absenteeism<\/strong> were highlighted as especially harmful, with some supervisors taking weeks or even months to return drafts. This leads to academic delays and mounting anxiety, as students begin to internalize the silence and blame themselves. In some cases, demoralizing remarks<\/strong> by supervisors can trigger or worsen imposter syndrome<\/strong>, causing deep self-doubt. Comments like, \u201cYou don\u2019t belong here,\u201d can lead to emotional breakdowns. Dr. Asiimwe also noted the power imbalance<\/strong> in supervisor-student relationships, which often deters students from reporting abusive or negligent behavior due to fear of retaliation or academic sabotage. \u201cThis silence is deadly for mental health,\u201d she warned. She further criticized unrealistic expectations<\/strong>, such as demands to complete a chapter within an unreasonable timeframe, which drive burnout. Additionally, the lack of expertise<\/strong> among some assigned supervisors leaves students feeling directionless and unsupported in their research journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To address these systemic issues, Dr. Asiimwe proposed a series of reformative strategies<\/strong> aimed at building healthier supervision structures. First, she called for clear expectations<\/strong> to be established early in the supervision process, including timelines, communication norms, and feedback procedures \u2014 ideally documented in a written agreement. She also emphasized the importance of constructive feedback<\/strong>, urging supervisors to focus on guidance that empowers rather than belittles. Regular check-ins, particularly when students go silent, are essential. \u201cA simple \u2018Are you okay?\u2019 can open up conversations that save lives,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respecting personal boundaries<\/strong> is also crucial; supervisors should not expect round-the-clock availability, and students must likewise honor supervisors’ communication preferences. Dr. Asiimwe advocated for greater emotional sensitivity<\/strong>, encouraging supervisors to recognize signs of distress \u2014 such as absenteeism and missed deadlines \u2014 and refer students to mental health support services when needed. She also highlighted the need for flexibility with deadlines<\/strong>, especially for international students, working parents, or those facing personal crises. Finally, she called on universities to undertake institutional reform<\/strong> by involving students in the supervisor selection process, stressing that a poor match between student and supervisor can derail an entire academic career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Responsibility on Both Sides<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Asiimwe made it clear that students also have a role to play in maintaining a healthy relationship. Open communication, timely responses to feedback, and respect for boundaries are crucial. \u201cIf you’re struggling to meet a milestone, let your supervisor know early. Silence creates more tension.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She urged students to seek help when needed and to build strong peer and faculty support networks. \u201cAs Dr. Tibasiima said earlier, you are not alone. Use the systems around you. Mental health is not just your responsibility; it is everyone\u2019s responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Asiimwe concluded her session with a powerful reminder that graduate supervision must be rooted in mutual respect, open communication, empathy, and accountability.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are mentoring human beings, not robots. If we want them to thrive intellectually, we must first ensure they are well emotionally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Budget for Your Emotions: Dr. Linda Nakalawa Urges PhD Students to Prioritize Emotional health for Success and Survival<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In an unusually personal and moving address, Dr. Linda Nakalawa Kolabako  a Psychologist captivated attendees  by stepping away from the podium \u2014 both literally and figuratively \u2014 to discuss what she called \u201cthe most overlooked currency in the PhD journey\u201d: emotional energy.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nakalawa offered graduate students a radical, soul-searching challenge: to stop treating emotional wellness as an afterthought, and instead treat it as a critical resource\u2014as essential as time or finances.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Linda Nakalawa interacting with the audience<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey always tell us to budget for our time,\u201d Dr. Nakalawa said. \u201cBut how often are we told to budget for our emotions? If you do not feel well emotionally, you will not be well physically. Your body will tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting the tone with a guided breathing exercise, Dr. Nakalawa gently led participants into a mindfulness moment \u2014 emphasizing that even small acts of self-awareness can begin to ease stress and restore inner balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMost of us took a breath like it was an anxious one. We don\u2019t realize how long we\u2019ve been holding tension until we let go,\u201d she said, demonstrating what she called \u201cbelly breathing\u201d \u2014 a tool for physiological relief and emotional grounding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This, she explained, was a metaphor for her broader argument: that students must learn to become aware of the emotional costs of the PhD journey \u2014 and then manage those costs intentionally.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unpacking Stress: It\u2019s Not Just the Situation \u2014 It\u2019s the Perception<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Nakalawa highlighted a crucial but often-misunderstood truth: stress does not simply arise from challenging circumstances, but from how we perceive our ability to cope with those challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe same boiling water that hardens an egg will melt butter,\u201d she said. \u201cOur responses to stress depend on the narratives and voices in our heads\u2014our mindset.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drawing from her PhD research on youth empowerment and mindset, she described the African socio-cultural tendency to internalize communal expectations and intergenerational voices \u2014 from uncles to religious leaders to clan elders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe walk around with voices in our heads. Not just the ones that land people in Butabika [psychiatric hospital] \u2014 we all have them,\u201d she explained. \u201cThese voices form our mindset \u2014 a \u2018set\u2019 of narratives \u2014 that can either encourage or sabotage us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Debunking the Myths: \u201cIt Can Be Done\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Nakalawa directly confronted some of the most discouraging narratives that often plague graduate students, such as the common belief that \u201cyou can\u2019t finish a PhD at Makerere in three years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI finished in 39 months \u2014 and that included an 8-month delay due to COVID-19,\u201d she said. \u201cIt can<\/em> be done. If you\u2019re on month 42, pick yourself up. It\u2019s not too late.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Some of the PhD students<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

She also critiqued the cynical belief that \u201ca PhD is 70% politics,\u201d urging students to resist defaulting to adversarial thinking, especially with supervisors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you believe that, you start fighting battles that don\u2019t even exist,\u201d she warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surround Yourself With the Right Voices<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

One of the most powerful points of her talk was her call for emotional boundaries \u2014 particularly in terms of the people students allow into their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDuring COVID, I started blocking people on WhatsApp. If you\u2019re always sharing awful news, I won\u2019t allow you in my emotional space,\u201d she said. \u201cYou are not a bad person for cutting off toxic voices.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She urged students to surround themselves with people who \u201cspeak life and light\u201d into them and to protect their energy from unnecessary drama, distractions, or guilt-inducing obligations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot every battle is worth fighting. Not every event must be attended. You\u2019re a good person even if you don\u2019t show up to everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emotional Budgeting: What It Really Means<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Emotional budgeting, Dr. Nakalawa explained, is about conscious decision-making. From limiting social media use, to avoiding late-night stressors like TikTok, to skipping conversations that drain rather than build \u2014 every choice matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEverything you engage in leaves an emotional echo,\u201d she warned. \u201cBefore you go to sleep, don\u2019t feed your mind with things that will keep playing in your head.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Some of the graduate students attending<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This awareness, she said, helped her evolve from being argumentative at home to someone perceived as calmer and more focused. \u201cBy the time I finished my PhD, people thought I had changed. And I had. I\u2019d learned to conserve my emotional energy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Trauma to Growth: Thriving Beyond Survival<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Addressing the mental toll of the PhD process, Dr. Nakalawa acknowledged that it can feel \u201ctraumatizing,\u201d but emphasized that adversity can lead to profound personal growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s post-traumatic disorder, yes. But there\u2019s also post-traumatic growth<\/em>,\u201d she said. \u201cThe PhD is not just a dissertation \u2014 it\u2019s a process of transformation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She closed by reminding students that they are more than their academic documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you finish, what remains is not just a monograph. It\u2019s the thinking, the skills, the confidence. I now know I can do research by myself. That\u2019s how I\u2019m thriving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With warmth, vulnerability, and conviction, Dr. Nakalawa left students not only with coping strategies but with renewed belief in themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou will<\/em> survive. You can<\/em> grow. And yes, you will<\/em> thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Roscoe Kasujja Urges PhD Students to Prioritize Mental Health: \u201cIt\u2019s a Research Skill Too\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In a heartfelt and sobering address, Dr. Roscoe Kasujja, Head of the Department of Mental Health at Makerere University, delivered a powerful message to graduate students and supervisors alike: Mental health is not a side concern \u2014 it is central to academic success and personal well-being<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMental health is a research skill,\u201d Dr. Kasujja said. \u201cIt is personal. It is complex. And it must be developed intentionally if you are to survive and thrive in graduate school.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Roscoe Kasujja speaking during the morning session on mental health<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Speaking both as a researcher and as someone who has personally walked the PhD journey, Dr. Kasujja admitted that agreeing to speak at the symposium had initially made him uncomfortable \u2014 torn between representing the mental health field and being a symbol of the academic establishment that students often criticize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know what it\u2019s like to stay up late in the library, to battle guilt, and to feel crushed under the weight of institutional flaws,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I also know the beauty of choosing to walk through that storm and come out stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Crisis in Plain Sight: Mental Illness Among Graduate Students<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Citing global studies, Dr. Kasujja warned that 40% of graduate students experience depression, anxiety, and other psychological challenges<\/strong> \u2014 numbers that often go unnoticed beneath the surface of academic ambition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou are not alone,\u201d he told the room. \u201cBut this silence, this perfectionist culture in academia, is eating us alive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He urged students and faculty to view emotional regulation as a critical competency \u2014 not unlike data analysis or proposal writing. “You can be the most brilliant, but can you deal with pressure? Can you breathe, perform, and take breaks when needed?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set Boundaries. Communicate Clearly. Ask for Help.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Throughout his speech, Dr. Kasujja emphasized three pillars for maintaining mental well-being during graduate studies: boundaries, assertive communication, and help-seeking<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe take on too much. We blame too much. And we forget ourselves,\u201d he warned. \u201cLearn to say no. Learn to rest. Learn to step back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also cautioned against the passive reliance on supervisors, noting that students often treat delays in feedback as an excuse to halt all progress. \u201cYour supervisor taking a week or a month should not turn you into a robot waiting to be switched back on,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Keynote speaker Prof. Grace Musila attending the panel discussions<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Importantly, he urged students to ask for help<\/strong> \u2014 a skill he says is widely underutilized in academia despite being crucial for both academic progress and mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you willing to say: I don\u2019t understand this feedback? I\u2019m tired? I\u2019m lost?\u201d he asked. \u201cThe moment you verbalize your struggle is the moment you start to get unstuck.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perfectionism Is the Enemy<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In one of the talk\u2019s most striking moments, Dr. Kasujja challenged the academic culture of perfectionism, which he called \u201ctoxic and paralyzing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEveryone thinks their research must be flawless. That they must never make a mistake. That\u2019s not how this works. You will fail at some things \u2014 and that\u2019s part of the process,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He advised students to embrace imperfection as part of the learning curve and not to define their worth by the number of drafts or corrections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mental Health Is Personal \u2014 And Universal<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Kasujja also opened up about a deeply personal moment: a recent text message from his 16-year-old nephew asking, \u201cAre you happy?\u201d The question prompted an unexpected reflection on his own emotional state \u2014 and the expectations placed on young people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe told me, \u2018Sometimes I\u2019m breaking down and they don\u2019t know. I want to come where it\u2019s quiet.\u2019 That message taught me something \u2014 how many of us don\u2019t have a quiet place, or someone to confide in?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That vulnerability, he said, cuts across age and title \u2014 from overwhelmed teenagers to seasoned supervisors. And it\u2019s a reminder that academic roles must not eclipse human identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Students listening to the presenters<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m a brother, an uncle, a researcher, a friend. I want to breathe more \u2014 to be human. You can still be an amazing mother, brother, or advisor while doing a PhD.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Central Question: Will You Bet on Yourself?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Kasujja closed his speech with a challenge to all present \u2014 students, supervisors, and administrators \u2014 to reclaim control of their lives, not by rejecting hardship, but by embracing emotional truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can feel joy and sadness at the same time. That is life,\u201d he said. \u201cThe question is \u2014 are you willing to bet on yourself to thrive?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As applause broke out, the message was clear: in the grueling pursuit of academic excellence, mental health is not a luxury \u2014 it is essential survival gear.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n