MENTAL HEALTH OF MEDICAL STUDENTS: PREVALENCE OF DISORDERS AND INTERVENTION PROPOSALS

Abstract

The mental health of medical students has become a growing concern, as these individuals are exposed to high levels of academic stress, performance pressure, and long study hours. Several studies indicate an increased prevalence of disorders such as anxiety, depression, burnout syndrome, and suicidal ideation in this population when compared to young people from other academic fields. Among the associated factors, the inherent competitiveness of the course, curricular overload, sleep deprivation, and the difficulty of balancing personal and academic life stand out. Early detection and the implementation of intervention strategies are essential to prevent the worsening of these conditions. Institutional programs of psychological support, peer support groups, wellness promotion activities, and interventions focused on developing coping skills have shown positive results in reducing symptoms and strengthening resilience. This review aims to gather the most recent evidence on the prevalence of mental disorders among medical students and discuss contemporary proposals for intervention.