The Researcher Toolkit: a preventative, peer-support approach to postgraduate research student mental health

Purpose Rates of mental ill-health among postgraduate research students (PGRs) are alarmingly high. PGRs face unique challenges and stigma around accessing support. The purpose this paper is to introduce Researcher Toolkit: a novel, open-source, preventative approach PGR health. Toolkit empowers promotes positive culture. This describes evaluates the encourage adoption across sector. Design/methodology/approach Four workshops were designed by integrating researcher development, critical pedagogy psychological knowledge well-being. A diverse group co-designed delivered them their peers. Workshops engaged 26% population (total 116 attendees). Workshop Leaders attendees submitted anonymous, online feedback after (74 total responses). mixed-method combined quantitative analysis ratings qualitative open-ended comments. Findings Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. universally appealing, enjoyable beneficial peer-support highly valued, strongly supporting programme in other universities. discussed alongside wider systemic factors recommendations for policy. Practical implications translates readily UK institutions can be adapted use elsewhere. Recommendations practice provided. Originality/value novel well-being initiative. Its originality threefold: its prevention rather than intervention; content new bespoke, created through interdisciplinary collaboration between psychologists, development professionals stakeholders; support peer-led decentralised from student services. evaluation adds limited literature on peer-support.