Well Being

Even under the best of circumstances, graduate school is a very challenging experience, but when combined with mental, physical, and emotional health struggles, those challenges may become insurmountable unless institutional supports are in place. 

Data from the University’s 2023 Campus Climate survey show that in the College of Liberal Arts more than 1 in 5 graduate students has some type of disability, and of those, over 70% identify mental health as a factor.  Multiply marginalized students, that is, BIPOC and LGBTQ students who also experience physical or mental disability, often face significant obstacles in gaining access to health care and, even with access, may experience inequities in their treatment. Despite the high numbers of students who experience mental illness, it is still shrouded in stigma and is rarely discussed, so that less than half of graduate students with disabilities work with the Disability Resource Center or receive the support they need from their departments. 

One way of approaching disability is to think of it as a problem with the environment as much as (or more than) the individual. A sighted person will struggle to see in a dark room, so working successfully in that space requires an ability to turn on the lights. In that scenario, we would not typically say that the person is disabled, but that the environment is disabling. Our department functions best when all of its members are supported and where working environments (i.e.,both  physical spaces and departmental culture) are enabling. 

If you are struggling with illness or disability and need accommodations to be successful, do not hesitate to bring an accommodation letter to your instructor, or simply talk to them about your needs. If you are struggling to meet degree requirement deadlines, please communicate with your adviser and/or the DGS.  It is better to communicate than to suffer in silence. 

In addition, there are many campus resources to assist you: 

Physical and Mental Health

• Office of Student Health Benefits

• Boynton Health Clinic

• Student Counseling Services vs. Boynton Mental Health Clinic

• Disability Resource Center

Wellness

• UMN Recreation and Wellness Center

• Student Parent Help Center

• Lactation Info for Students, Employees, and Visitors

• The Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life - Resources

• Nutritious U Food Pantry

Housing

• Apartment Listings Near the University

• Relocation Assistance Program

• Family Housing (Includes information on housing legal services, affordable and subsidized housing, and campus family housing.)

• Graduate Student Housing

• Find a Roommate

• Housing Information for International Students

Safety

• UMN Public Safety (Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services)

• UMN Policy on Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Stalking and Relationship Violence

• Gopher Chauffeur

• Safe Walk

• Online Harassment Support