How can we create conditions that promote the health of students and PhD students?
This question is being investigated by the MUTSPRUNG (Multidimensional Research & Transfer Measures with Undergraduates and PhD Students for Resilience and Sustainable Health) collaborative project, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (abbrev. German: BMFTR). Among other things, it examines which factors influence the mental health of students and PhD students and, based on this, develops scientifically sound recommendations for promoting mental health.
In June 2026, representatives from the participating higher education institutions (Bochum University of Applied Sciences, Münster University of Applied Sciences, Ruhr University Bochum, katho NRW, Dortmund University of Applied Sciences, Bochum University of Applied Sciences, South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences and RheinMain University of Applied Sciences), as well as from the Doctoral School for Applied Research in NRW, Techniker Krankenkasse, the Network of Healthy Universities in NRW, the State Association for Health and the Academy for Social Medicine of Lower Saxony and Bremen e. V., and the NRW University Network, at the Health Campus of Bochum University of Applied Sciences. Together, they shared initial experiences and findings from the sub-projects, discussed key substantive issues and agreed on the next steps in their research work.
Figure 1: Members of the MUTSPRUNG consortium at a meeting on the Health Campus of Bochum University of Applied Sciences
Following a keynote presentation on the current state of students’ and PhD students’ health, a subsequent panel discussion took place with the participants to explore the responsibilities universities bear for the mental health of their students and PhD students. It became clear that mental health is not solely an individual responsibility. Rather, the organisation of studies, financial conditions, the culture of teaching and learning, as well as societal developments such as social media, artificial intelligence and ongoing crises, shape students’ everyday academic lives and their well-being. The panellists emphasised that universities must take responsibility for creating an environment that promotes health. In this regard, lecturers in particular have an important role to play: they are not only conveyors of specialist knowledge, but also key points of contact and role models in everyday university life. Respectful communication, a mindful approach to stressful situations and the careful design of teaching can help to better support students and doctoral candidates and to give greater consideration to mental health. There was also agreement that, in future, universities must be designed to a greater extent as spaces that promote health and encourage social interaction. This includes, amongst other things, flexible study structures, supportive teaching and learning cultures, and easily accessible support services tailored to the diverse life circumstances of students and PhD students.
Figure 2: Panel discussion during the project meeting at the Health Campus of Bochum University of Applied Sciences.
The sub-project leaders and a representative from Techniker Krankenkasse in discussion. From left to right: Prof. Dr Swantje Notzon (katho NRW), Prof. Dr Sandra Aßmann (RUB), Niklas Brähler-Dieling (moderator), Prof. Dr Jennifer Schmidt (Münster University of Applied Sciences), Prof. Dr Eike Quilling (consortium lead / Bochum University of Applied Sciences) and Joachim Schröer (Techniker Krankenkasse)
In the afternoon, two key topics took centre stage during the working groups: Firstly, discussions centred on the development of a scientific survey tool for cross-university monitoring, which is intended to lead to a Germany-wide survey on the mental health of students and PhD students. Together, the participants identified key factors influencing mental health. Among the factors identified as significant were social connections and cohesion, academic performance expectations, stress, time pressure, as well as future prospects, financial security and employment conditions for doctoral candidates.
Secondly, the participants in the working groups focused on taking stock of existing health-promoting services at universities. Particular attention was paid to the question of which services are already available, how these can be made visible and accessible, and to what extent they take into account the different life circumstances of students and doctoral candidates. The role of professors was highlighted as a key aspect; as key influencers, they can contribute to a more open approach to mental health in everyday university life and draw attention to existing services. There was also discussion as to whether such programmes should be firmly embedded in the curriculum or offered on a voluntary basis – embedding them in the curriculum often proves difficult in practice, which is why such programmes have so far tended to be implemented on an extracurricular basis.
The consortium meeting provided important impetus for further project work and highlighted the added value of cross-university collaboration. The results of the working groups form an important basis for the further development of the monitoring programme and for devising needs-based measures to promote mental health at universities.
Contact
Janna Leimann
Faculty of Health Sciences
Bochum University of Applied Sciences
Health Campus Site
Gesundheitscampus-Süd 9
44801 Bochum
Germany
T +49 234 36186 9429
mutsprung@hs-bochum.de