Although most Dutch academics find their work valuable and meaningful, working at a research institute or university can also lead to mental health issues. In its Academy Thermometer survey, The Young Academy investigated the mental health of nearly 2,000 Dutch academics and concluded that their psychological well-being is under strain. Comparing the results of this survey and surveys among the general population shows that while academics are genuinely passionate about their work, they are also more likely to suffer from depression, stress and other symptoms. Such symptoms place an enormous strain on academics’ cognitive abilities and should therefore be addressed.
Around a quarter of the nearly 2,000 academics who participated in the survey reported symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. More than two-thirds had experienced symptoms of stress. The survey shows that symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress correlate with a lack of social safety, publication pressure and being on a temporary contract. There is a clear difference between assistant professors, postdoctoral researchers and PhD candidates on the one hand, and full and associate professors on the other, with the early-career researchers experiencing more mental health issues and less happiness at work. The same holds true for academics who did not grow up in the Netherlands.
Happiness at work
At the same time, the participating academics – regardless of their position – also report feeling very happy in their work and highly motivated to do it. Two-thirds regard their research as their ‘passion’, and nearly 90% find their research subject ‘extremely interesting’. These sources of happiness at work can have a positive impact on academics’ mental health. They derive that happiness from conducting curiosity-driven research, the autonomy and freedom that accompany a job in academia, working with colleagues and students, and the belief that they are making a meaningful contribution to society. The survey shows that having a sense of control, a strong support network or children living at home can also function as potential protective factors.
Recommendations
Academics perform better when they have a healthy brain, which is the most important tool needed to do their work. That is why The Young Academy has made six recommendations for a healthy academic environment in which quality and mental well-being go hand in hand.
1. Extend the concern for the mental health of PhD candidates to postdoctoral researchers and assistant professors
There has been considerable concern about the mental health of PhD candidates in recent years. This survey shows that the mental health of postdoctoral researchers and assistant professors also merits more attention.
2. Provide greater transparency and clarity regarding career prospects
The long-term uncertainty tied to temporary contracts appears to be associated with poorer well-being among postdoctoral researchers and assistant professors in particular. They would benefit from greater transparency regarding their career prospects and expectations, and clarity at an earlier stage about career advancement opportunities.
3. Improve the research culture
Mental health issues appear to be related to a performance-driven academic culture involving long hours, a heavy workload, publication pressure and a lack of social safety. The following measures could help to improve that culture: systematic reflection among early-career researchers, peer mentoring, peer-to-peer coaching and onboarding programmes for postdoctoral researchers and assistant professors, especially those from abroad. The list should also include clearly defined codes of conduct and transparent standards regarding overtime and availability. These measures can help foster a sense of control and mastery in individuals, which in turn promotes good mental health. They also contribute to a sense of social safety.
4. Encourage social interaction and adequate rest and recovery
Time for recovery is important, especially for people who have busy jobs. Institutions can help foster this by actively encouraging social activities and explicitly recognising the importance of leisure time within the working culture, with particular reference to PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, assistant professors and academic staff from abroad.
5. Look more closely during performance appraisals at factors that promote happiness at work
Intellectual challenges, creativity, curiosity, passion, teamwork and making a contribution to society are the most frequently cited sources of happiness at work. Institutions should explicitly address these factors during performance appraisals and annual reviews.
6. Continue to invest in strong academic leadership
Leaders can play a crucial role in implementing these recommendations, for example by explicitly raising and discussing the scope of duties, performance expectations or well-being.
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Meeting: join us for a conversation about mental health in academia
The findings of the Academy Thermometer survey and the resulting recommendations will be discussed during a meeting at the Academy’s Trippenhuis Building on 23 September 2026. You can find more information about the meeting and how to register here.
About the Academy Thermometer survey
This is the first survey examining the mental health of Dutch academics that covered a large group of respondents, involved anonymous participation of academics across all positions and made use of validated questionnaires to measure mental health. It is also the first survey among Dutch academics to examine the relationship between mental health and working conditions, social safety and positive factors. The survey was intended for academics who conduct research or teach at a university, university medical centre or research institute. The results have been compared with the outcomes of mental well-being surveys among the general Dutch population.
At the time of publication, The Young Academy is conducting a survey of work-life balance among academics. This survey, entitled ‘Who stays, who goes?’, examines why people decide to leave academia.
