#FacultyWellbeing

A mounting crisis in academic mental health is coming into sharper focus, with recent research revealing that “gruesome” workloads and escalating job demands are taking a heavy toll on university faculty worldwide—including right here in Thailand. An Australian-led analysis, as reported by Times Higher Education, highlights how non-stop workdays stretching over nine hours have become standard for many academics, eroding boundaries between professional and personal life and producing measurable declines in mental and physical health. This trend is mirrored by new, Thailand-specific data showing similarly alarming rates of burnout and stress among university lecturers, raising critical questions about the future of higher education and the well-being of those who deliver it.

A rising crisis in academic mental health is drawing global attention, including in Thailand. An Australian-led analysis highlighted how nine-hour daily workweeks and nonstop demands are eroding work-life boundaries for university faculty, with tangible declines in both mental and physical health. Thailand-specific data echo these concerns, showing high levels of burnout among lecturers and prompting questions about the future of higher education in the country.

International research shows that while academics often enjoy relatively robust benefits versus other sectors, those perks are increasingly outweighed by relentless duties. A recent survey described heavy teaching loads, research expectations, student advising, grant applications, and spiraling administrative tasks. Many academics report dissatisfaction with pay and conditions, warning that chronic overwork threatens both well-being and the quality of teaching and mentorship.