According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 27% of medical students have depression or show depressive symptoms — ONE-THIRD of medical students — and 11% have suicidal tendencies. In addition, medical students are 5 times more likely to experience depression compared to the general population. But guess what? Only 16% of medical students were shown to seek help from a professional when they felt depressed. There’s a big problem here.
Mental health is not taken seriously enough in the medical career. Though the JAMA study was only recently published, this is not ‘new’ news. Medical student’s are “supposed” to be tired. We’re “supposed” to be worn out. But by who’s standards? Anxiety, chronic stress, and depression are well-known inhibitors of learning. So why should they be welcomed into one of the most intensive learning environments that is medical school?
Let’s stand up for ourselves. Let’s open up discussion for “taboo” or difficult mental health topics. And let’s create a culture of self-love, acceptance, and safety. Because medical school is hard, and the only way to keep standing is to lean on one another when we need a break.
P.S. Shout out to my wonderful team of MIND committee members. You all have hearts of gold and are filled with crazy cool ideas — I love y’all.
You are so right, support is so important! Medical school is tough and there is a lot of pressure on the students. I love this cause!
This is so inspiring. So glad to see students getting involved with such initiatives as well. It brings the right value system and appreciation for humanity.
I love your advocacy, very little pay attention to mental health and few would seek for help or advice. It’s important that we try to spread the message that it’s okay to ask for help when you’re not feeling “good” about yourself or your life.
Thank you! And yes yes! It’s so very important. I’m glad more and more people are coming to realize that.
This is such a good cause and I admire your for taking action. It’s not easy to deal with mental illness and it’s such a shame that people wouldn’t take it seriously. I hope that this helps those who are suffering from it.
I agree that it is so so important! Thanks for reading 🙂
What a great cause! Mental health is so important and we really do need to work towards creating a culture of self-love, acceptance, and safety.
I agree!! <3
This is a great post! Mind over matter sounds like an awesome concept! I can not even imagine the stress of medical school!
Health, mental or physical, comes first. Everything else is secondary