Table 5 Reasons why Ph.D. students concealed their depression from other graduate students

Lack of personal relationship

Student describes that they did not reveal their depression because they did not establish a close enough relationship with another graduate student.

58%

Student 13: “[The other graduate students and I] never got that close. I can remember instances where we were developing a closer bond and I would have been more comfortable sharing [my depression], but we just didn't get to that.”

Student 47: “I've never had a close friendship with anyone directly in my lab. We get along fine in day-to-day interactions and stuff like that, but none of the people who have gone through my lab, either students, postdocs, or otherwise, have been close enough friends that [my depression] is something I would talk about with them.”

May be perceived or treated in a negative way

Student describes they were afraid they would be perceived or treated negatively if other graduate students knew of their depression. Students often report using their fellow graduate students’ prior behaviors to predict how they would react.

33%

Student 44: “With [graduate students], I think it is that I don't want them to treat me differently, but I also don't really want them to judge me for [my depression].”

Student 45: “[The other graduate students] might not know how to respond to [my depression] or I guess might treat me a little bit differently based on that as opposed to ADHD, which I feel like there's a lot less stigma about.”

Perceives revealing to be unnecessary

Student did not think it is necessary to share depression, often because they did not perceive it affected their work.

17%

Student 37: “I just don't think [revealing my depression] is relevant. I'm all about talking about mental health and supporting one another, but I felt like I had enough of a support system with my boyfriend and my family that I didn't need to.”

Student 41: “It's just when it comes to [concealing my depression], I know I have a job to do. I just go about my own business.”

Is uncomfortable with depression

Student describes that they are personally uncomfortable sharing their depression with anyone.

17%

Student 22: “It's just not something that I've spoken about with a lot of people. So, I'm just not the greatest at talking about it in general.”

Student 50: “For the graduate students, I just don't like to talk about [my depression], as I wouldn’t with anyone else, so it’s less about that professional barrier, and more of a personal preference.”