Graduate study can get intense at times, so it's important to take care of your body and mind. There are many resources at Duke to help graduate students with their physical, mental, and social wellbeing. We encourage you to take advantage of these resources. If you have wellness-related concerns, questions, or suggestions, please contact grad-gsa@duke.edu.

New Wellness Resources

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Wellness Fund

Funds for initiatives related to the promotion, awareness, or improvement of mental health and wellbeing for the Duke graduate student community.

Email grad-gsa@duke.edu to Apply
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Mindfulness Training

First-come, first-serve funding for graduate students interested in taking Koru Mindfulness Fundamentals, a five-week, live-session course.

Learn More & Get Started

Mental and Physical Health Resources

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Students doing yoga
  • DukeReach is a good starting point if students are unsure where to turn for health, well-being, and safety resources on campus.
  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) helps students manage increasing stress or deal with situations best addressed in collaboration with a trained mental-health professional. CAPS staff members are also available to provide counsel on how to be supportive of a peer that you may be concerned about.
  • Blue Devils Care is a new, free, 24/7 mental telehealth service for students.
  • The Duke Student Wellness Center helps students focus on their individual wellness by looking at the integration of many areas of life, including financial, social, spiritual, intellectual well-being, mind-body, and the environment around them. The center provides individual services, does group outreach, and acts as consultants as well as a hub of information on wellness. (Check out the center's Moments of Mindfulness activities.)
  • Student Health Services provides a wide range of health-care services, many of which are covered by the student health fee. Student Health can serve as the primary-care physician for students and also refer students to specialists within the Duke network as needed. Duke also has an on-campus dental office that serves students, faculty, and staff. (Medical and dental insurance for students)
  • Duke offers outstanding recreational facilities, classes, and programs, and we encourage our students to take advantage of these. The Graduate School pays for Ph.D. students' access to Duke recreational facilities during their first five years of study.

Other Wellness-Related Resources

  • Ombuds: Ombuds in the Office for Institutional Equity offer neutral and confidential guidance on a variety of issues for all students and faculty at Duke.
  • Duke International Student Center: The DISC coordinates outreach and support to international students across the graduate, professional, and undergraduate student population. 
  • Financial support: In addition to providing competitive financial support, The Graduate School also offers resources to help Ph.D. students with childcare costs and medical or other expenses that could cause a hardship.
  • Identity and cultural centers: These centers provide education, advocacy, and support for Duke students, including those with extended families living outside the U.S.
  • Mentoring: Good mentoring is crucial to success in graduate school and can make a significant difference in student wellbeing. To that end, The Graduate School develops resources and workshops to cultivate a robust culture of mentoring for graduate students at Duke.
  • Religious Life at Duke: Duke's diverse faith groups provide a wide range of student support, whether or not you are connected to a religious tradition. Visit their website to connect with leaders who are experienced in offering emotional and spiritual care, and a non-anxious presence with a humanistic listening ear, to college-age students.
  • Workshops: Throughout the year, The Graduate School organizes or funds workshops that deal with various aspects of student wellbeing, such as time management, imposter syndrome, or diversity and inclusion. These events are posted on the Graduate School calendar as they are developed.
  • Prescription for Persistence: A series of short videos offering advice on staying the course through the ups and downs of graduate school

Wellness Tip Sheets