Healing Those Who Heal: The Emotional Challenges of Medical Students.

Abstract

Suicide is a global public health challenge, especially among young people. From ideation to execution, it has serious social and economic implications. Medical undergraduate students face risks due to academic demands and external factors (family, economic, social problems, among others), aggravated by the lack of focus on their mental well-being. Various studies have revealed worrying data on psychiatric disorders in medical students; stress, lack of sleep, and other pressures increase the risk of self-harm and suicide; and factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbate the problem. Therefore, detecting the signs of mental deterioration, normalizing the search for help and prioritizing mental health are crucial to saving lives. Higher education should be an enriching experience, not a burden that is detrimental to health. That is why support, counseling and active participation programs are suggested both by the family and social environment and by the educational administration that can create a university culture that protects mental health. By prioritizing mental health, especially in medicine, we train professionals who are resilient and empathetic towards society.