Mental break over being in dark

[dragonid1423]

Anyone who goes into a room with no light or an area with a lamp but is JUST far away enough to have no light, IMMEDIATELY starts going insane. So while my people are mining out a new room I have to get them out within 1 in-game hour before they go berserk or leave. I understand if a door closes on them in a dark room, but if they can turn around and SEE the light, they shouldn't start going insane.

[DeMatt]

What other mental bonuses do your miners have?  If they're sleepy, tired of eating raw food, annoyed at having to share the great outdoors with that snoring muffalo in the next sleeping spot... then ordering them down into that dark hole may well be the last straw that pushes them over the edge.

Try making your miners happier.  Meals > nutrient paste > raw food ( > starving).  Large, well-decorated bedroom > bed in a cell > outdoors sleeping spot.