From The Desk of Editor

Volume 7 Issue 10 October, 2017

Mental Health in Medical Students

Medical colleges train students to become physicians who would take care of the health of the future population. This training involves high level of motivation, intelligence and stamina.

As per recent survey, significant numbers of medical students with mental health issues feel they are under-supported.

Stress experienced by medical students is more than other undergraduates due to its course, content and complexity of knowledge. Medical students are vulnerable due to undesirable consequences like burnout, social isolation and lack of leisure time which usually will lead to undesirable coping mechanism like substance abuse and self harm.

Medical students can suffer from various mental health issues like depression (11%), anxiety (7%), and various addictions (alcohol, smoking, and internet). Lack of awareness about mental health issue among these students is of major concern. They do not approach for help due to barriers like stigma, fear of lack of confidentiality, fear of rejection by friends, cost factors, fear of record, and also fear of unwanted intervention. Most mental health issues can be addressed easily if appropriate intervention is started early. There is a need to increase awareness of mental health
issues by establishing psychological support to the students within the system.