NEW DELHI: A recent survey conducted by the National Medical Commission (NMC) has revealed alarming statistics regarding the mental health of medical students in India.
The survey highlights a growing mental health crisis among the country’s future healthcare professionals, with significant rates of mental health issues and suicidal ideation.
The online survey, which included 25,590 undergraduate (UG) students, 5,337 postgraduate (PG) students, and 7,035 faculty members, revealed that 31.23 percent of PG students had suicidal thoughts in the previous year, with 4.4 percent attempting suicide. 27.8 percent of undergraduate students reported having a mental health condition, and 16.2 percent had suicidal thoughts.
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The report, titled “National Task Force on Mental Health and Well-being of Medical Students,” highlighted the barriers preventing students from seeking help.
Many cited concerns over confidentiality and stigma associated with mental health issues as key reasons for avoiding assistance. Nearly 41 percent of PG students felt uncomfortable seeking help, and 44 percent refrained from doing so due to privacy concerns.
In addition, 36.4 percent of students reported lacking adequate stress management skills, and 19 percent of UG students found mental health services at their institutions either inaccessible or of poor quality.
Faculty support also emerged as a concern, with 18.2 percent of students perceiving their mentors as unsupportive.
The report emphasised the urgent need for intervention, calling for robust mental health programs to address the crisis.
It also highlighted the intense working conditions faced by PG students, with nearly 45 percent working over 60 hours a week and more than 56 percent missing scheduled days off, further exacerbating their stress.
The NMC has urged immediate and aggressive action to improve mental health support for medical students, addressing both institutional barriers and societal stigma to prevent further tragedies.