KSQM - Year of Mental Health 2026

Building a healthier research culture together
Open AI
KSQM is proud to launch the KSQM - Year of Mental Health starting from 2026, a comprehensive, year-long initiative dedicated to improving mental wellbeing across our academic community. KSQM is committed to training well-rounded physicists equipped for a broad range of careers. Central to this mission is the development of competencies beyond core research skills — including scientific writing, public speaking, and leadership — cultivated through targeted workshops throughout the PhD program. In 2025, the KSQM student body identified mental health as a significantly underrepresented topic, both within the program and across the physics institutes at KIT more broadly.

With the hope of bringing forth systemic change by improved mental health literacy we partnered with Dragonfly Mental Health, a non-profit start-up by academics, for academics, to begin addressing this gap systematically. This program is supported by the Z Zurich Foundation as part of a nationwide effort involving leading German research institutions.

Why Mental Health in Academia Matters

Mental health challenges are widespread in research environments:

  • Graduate students show increasing mental health strain over time
  • ~67% of PhD students report anxiety
  • Nearly half report symptoms of depression
  • Academics experience 6–8× higher rates of severe depression

Academic systems often combine:

  • High pressure and long working hours
  • Strong hierarchical structures
  • Isolation and uncertainty

These factors directly impact wellbeing, productivity, and long-term success.

Our Vision

The KSQM -Year of Mental Health aims to:

  • Foster a supportive and inclusive research culture
  • Reduce stigma around mental health
  • Equip our community with practical skills and knowledge
  • Build sustainable, peer-driven support systems

Program Framework

The initiative follows Dragonfly’s Five Domains of Excellence:

1. Wellness Committee

A dedicated Mental Wellness Committee has been established, comprising volunteer PhD students, faculty, and professors. Working alongside Dragonfly Mental Health, the Committee will develop a structured training program and curate resources aimed at fostering lasting change in how mental health is understood, discussed, and supported within our community.

Present Members of KSQM Mental Wellness Committee: 

Althuon, Tim (PHI)             KSQM former member (now postdoc)

Angelone, Danilo (PHI)      KSQM member

Field, Mitchell (IQMT)        KSQM member

Garst, Markus (TFP)          KSQM Spokesperson, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Physics, Professor of Physics

Gerber, Simon (PHI)          KSQM member

Goldscheider, Yu (IQMT)  KSQM Coordinator

Kugler, Paul (IQMT)           KSQM member

Schmalian, Jörg (TKM)     KSQM PI, former Dean of the Faculty of Physics, Professor of Physics

Willke, Philip (PHI)              KSQM PI, Professor of Physics

2. Peer Networks

Safe, confidential spaces for sharing experiences, building community, and supporting one another.

3. Mental Health Literacy

Seminars designed to increase awareness and understanding of mental health in academia.

4. Skills Training

Interactive workshops to build communication, resilience, and support skills.

5. Fighting Stigma

Storytelling and community engagement, including a custom anti-stigma film featuring local voices.

Program 

A wide range of seminars and interactive workshops will be offered, including:

Mental Health Literacy Talks

  • Introduction to Mental Health in Academia
  • Depression and Anxiety in Researchers
  • Burnout: Causes, Prevention, and Recovery
  • Imposter Phenomenon
  • Neurodiversity in Academia
  • Power Abuse and Academic Culture
  • Mentoring and Healthy Research Relationships

Skills Workshops

  • Active Listening and Supporting Others
  • Managing Upwards (student–supervisor communication)
  • Managing Inwards (self-awareness and resilience)
  • Practical Tools for Wellbeing (Parts 1 & 2)

Anti-Stigma Initiative

  • Screening of a custom KSQM mental health film
  • Featuring real experiences from our community
  • Followed by guided discussions

What to Expect

Throughout 2026, KSQM members can:

  • Participate in interactive trainings and seminars
  • Join peer support networks
  • Contribute to community surveys
  • Engage in open conversations about mental health
  • Help shape a healthier academic environment

Get Involved

If you would like to stay informed about upcoming workshops or are interested in contributing your time to this initiative, please reach out to one of our Committee members or at ksqm∂kit.edu.

We invite all students, researchers and staff in the faculty of physics and beyond to take part in this initiative.

Your participation is essential to creating lasting cultural change.

  • Join the Wellness Committee
  • Attend workshops and seminars
  • Engage with your peers
  • Share your voice in surveys

Registration

If you are interested in keeping up with the available workshops or talks, please look it up here.