In scientific research, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for long-term well-being and productivity. The combination of long hours, tight deadlines, high expectations, fast-paced innovation, and constant screen time can easily lead to stress and burnout if not managed carefully.

Setting clear boundaries between work and personal life, taking regular breaks, and disconnecting from devices after hours are crucial habits. Flexible schedules, remote work options, and open conversations about mental health help build a supportive and inclusive research environment.

Fostering mental well-being isn’t a distraction from research—it’s a foundation for it. Healthy, focused minds produce better code, more creative solutions, and stronger collaborations.

One thing is important to remember: You are not alone in this!

The MPG, our institute and other external providers offer many different points of contact and information which can help if you are struggeling.

We are committed to creating a family-friendly research environment that supports a healthy balance between career and personal life. Our institute offers flexible working arrangements, parental leave support, and various services to help staff and researchers manage family responsibilities alongside their professional development. Promoting work–life balance is a central part of our gender equality strategy.

You find more details about this on the website of the Family & Care office.

EMAP - Employee and Manager Assistance Program

Free immediate counselling services for employees and scholarship holders of the Max Planck Society

Do you need support in dealing with professional or personal problems that affect your well-being and mental health?

If you would like support in dealing with professional or personal problems and issues that affect your well-being at work, an immediate counselling service (EMAP) is available through theFürstenberg Institut: by telephone, online or in person. This counselling service is free of charge for you. The relatives living in your household can also use this service free of charge.

Further information: https://www.mpg.de/16344036/counselling-and-mental-health

The Max Planck Phd Net Group

A grassroots initiative with the aim to raise awareness around mental health with a particular focus on the academic environment, educate both scientists and staff about the indicators of mental health problems, and set in place preventive tools and measures.

Further information:

https://www.phdnet.mpg.de/phdnet/who/workgroups/equal-opportunity-group

The Max Planck Postdoc Net Group

The PostdocNet is a network representing postdoctoral researchers (postdocs) across the Max Planck Society. The network was founded in April 2019 by postdocs working in the society in order to improve the working conditions and career prospects of postdocs. The network has several subgroups, one among them for mental health questions.

Further information: https://www.postdocnet.mpg.de/working-groups/mental-health-wg

The Planck Academy

The Planck Academy bundles offers for further education and training courses under one roof. It is open to all MPG employees and offers online tutorials, virtual trainings and on-site trainings for all kinds of topics, incl. time management, negotiation and conflict management, mental strategies etc.

You can access the training database here.

The Studierendenwerk at Saarland University

The Studierendenwerk is organised by other students for students and offers counselling for students with academic, social and mental health difficulties. They also help with every day matters, such as accomodation, child care, financing.

Further information: https://www.stw-saarland.de/en/about-us/

Saarländisches Institut für Psychoanalyse und Psychotherapie e.V.

Bleichstraße 14, 66111 Saarbrücken

Tel: 0681 3 90 49 45

Offers differentiated diagnostic clarification of mental health issues and advice on appropriate psychotherapeutic treatment in each case. They will assist you in finding a psychotherapist or place for treatment if you wish so.

Further information: https://www.sipp.de/ambulanz/

The Counselling Service of the Studierendenwerk at Saarland University

This service is only available for students of UdS who paid the full semester fee (not only the registration fee).

On the campus in Saarbrücken, Building B6 2.

Offers psychological counselling in case of personal problems or problems related to your studies free of charge.

Further information: https://www.stw-saarland.de/en/counselling/