13  Getting Help

Research is hard, and good judgment means knowing when to ask for help. The resources below are here so that when you need something, you know exactly where to turn.

13.1 Start With Matt

If any problems come up — health, personal, research, coursework, whatever — you should talk to Matt. Your health and happiness are my top priority, and I would always rather hear about a problem early than learn about it too late. I may not have the answer to every problem, but I can help you figure out the right next step.

If you are uncomfortable talking to Matt, the problem is Matt, or you need an outside opinion, you should consider speaking with Professor David Rehkopf, Professor Michelle Odden, or Professor Melissa Bondy within the department. All three are supportive and will keep your conversation confidential. You can also talk to the people at Stanford TILE who are not in the department.

13.2 Mental Health and Counseling

Graduate school and postdoctoral training are periods of high stress. Research consistently shows that graduate students experience anxiety and depression at rates well above the general population, and a 2019 Nature editorial called the state of PhD mental health a matter demanding urgent attention. You are not alone if you are struggling, and seeking help is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your science.

  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): CAPS provides free, confidential counseling to Stanford students. They offer individual therapy, group therapy, crisis support, and referrals to community providers. If you’re unsure whether to reach out, reach out anyway — they can help you figure out what you need.
  • Vaden Health Center: Provides primary care, psychiatric services, and wellness programs for students.
  • Faculty Staff Help Center: If you are a postdoc or staff member, the Faculty Staff Help Center provides confidential counseling and referrals.

13.3 Academic and Research Support

Sometimes the help you need is less about mental health and more about navigating the practicalities of research and academia.

  • Your dissertation or qualifying exam committee: They are there to help you succeed, not just to evaluate you. Use committee meetings as opportunities to get substantive feedback.
  • Stanford Graduate Life Office: Provides advising, community building, and support services for graduate students.
  • Office of Postdoctoral Affairs: Offers professional development, mentoring programs, and advocacy for postdocs.
  • Hume Center for Writing and Speaking: Free individual consultations and workshops on academic writing and presentations. Highly recommended, especially when working on your first paper or grant.
  • Stanford Research Computing Center: Technical support for computing, including Sherlock cluster issues and software environment questions.
  • Stanford Libraries Data Services: Help with data management plans, data archiving, and finding datasets.

13.4 Financial Hardship

Financial stress is a real barrier to doing good work. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, there are resources available:

  • Stanford Financial Aid Office: For students experiencing unexpected financial emergencies.
  • Emergency financial assistance: Stanford has several emergency funds available for students and postdocs facing unexpected expenses. Ask me or the Graduate Life Office for details.
  • Stanford Basic Needs: Resources for food security, housing, and other basic needs.

If money is tight and it’s affecting your ability to focus on research, please tell Matt.

13.5 International Students and Scholars

If you are an international student or scholar, visa requirements, cultural adjustment, and distance from home make everything harder.

13.6 Disability and Accessibility

  • Office of Accessible Education (OAE): Coordinates academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
  • If you need workplace accommodations (ergonomic equipment, flexible scheduling, etc.), talk to me directly. We will make it work.

13.7 Harassment, Discrimination, and Title IX

Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. You should know that Matt, like all Stanford faculty, is legally mandated to report acts of gender-based and sexual harassment to the SHARE Title IX Office. This means that if you disclose an experience of sexual harassment or assault to me, I am required to report it to the Title IX office (though they will contact you to discuss your options — you are not obligated to pursue a formal investigation).

  • To formally report harassment: Contact the SHARE Office.
  • For confidential support (where you can talk without triggering a mandatory report): Stanford maintains a list of confidential counseling resources, including CAPS counselors and the Confidential Support Team.
  • Stanford Office of the Ombuds: A confidential, impartial resource for resolving any academic or work-related problems. The Ombuds does not take sides — they help you think through your options and find a path forward.

13.8 When You Don’t Know Where to Start

If you have a problem and don’t know which resource to use, just ask Matt. Part of my job is helping you navigate this stuff. And if I don’t know the answer, I know people who do.