37,000 med students cite mental ailments

Astaggering 37,000 medical students have told the government’s medical education authority that they are suffering from potentially risky mental health ailments, alarming the body into prescribing a phalanx of measures, including regulated duty hours and suicide watch.

A psychiatrist at the All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, described the shocking figures as “the tip of the iceberg”.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) had launched an online survey after finding that 130 medical students had taken their lives in the last five years. In the survey, medical students and faculty submitted details about the mental health illnesses they were suffering from. Concerned over the number of students suffering from mental illness, NMC formed a 15-member

NMC formed a 15-member panel to discuss and draft measures based on results of a mental health survey

panel to discuss the issue and draft recommendations.

NMC’s suggestions based on the overwhelming response to the online survey include gatekeeper programmes to prevent suicide and for identifying vulnerable students, regulating duty hours for postgraduate students, better student facilities, friendlier work environment, and round-the clock professional counselling services. These recommendations will be submitted to the Union health and family welfare ministry this month to be rolled out across medical colleges in the country.

“Some of the universal recommendations which are in discussion includes adjustment support and orientation in medical colleges for new students to understand their role & duties...,” said a government official requesting anonymity.

Queries sent to the Union health ministry spokesperson remained unanswered till press time.