Medical Students

Studies suggest that medical students experience high rates of depression and suicidal ideation. On a global scale, prevalence rates of depression among medical students are estimated to be 27%.

Medical School

Studies based on combined data show that the prevalence of depression symptoms among medical students may be higher than rates reported in the general population. The medical school culture breeds a competitive environment with growing demands and pressures on students. Creating unhealthy comparison and competition between students this culture breeds high-achieving and uncompromising personalities who are unforgiving of mistakes and struggles, even of their own.

Data

The overall prevalence of suicidal ideation among medical students is 11.1%.

Of medical students who screened positive for depression only 15.7% sought treatment.

The United States has one of the highest rates of physician suicide with approximately 400 physicians taking their own lives each year

Stigma

Overall stigma around mental health and seeking treatment makes it difficult for individuals. With concerns over being seen as unfit to practice medicine and fears of compromising career many suffer in silence.

Shared Responsability

Medical students receive little to no training or resources as it concerns access to mental health services. The medical community must share responsibility for changing the environment that it has created. Changes must be made to make the field into one that prioritizes mental health.

References

Eley, D. S., & Slavin, S. J. (2023). Medical student mental health – the intransigent global dilemma: Contributors and potential solutions. Medical Teacher, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159x.2023.2279909
Nair, M., Moss, N., Bashir, A., Gárate, D., Thomas, D., Fu, S., Phu, D., & Pham, C. (2023). Mental health trends among medical students. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, 36(3), 408–410. https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2023.2187207
Rotenstein, L. S., Ramos, M. A., Torre, M., Segal, J., Peluso, M. J., Guille, C., Sen, S., & Mata, D. A. (2016). Prevalence of depression, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation among medical students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA, 316(21), 2214–2236. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2016.17324