Abstract
- In recent years, there has been growing concern over the well-being and mental
health of medical students, driven by the academic, personal, and professional challenges
inherent in medical school. While becoming a physician offers significant social capital and
respect, it also imposes considerable stress. Recent data indicates that medical students
experience higher rates of psychological stress, anxiety, and depression compared to the general
population, with the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating these challenges. The alarming trend of
medical student deaths by suicide, linked to burnout and depression, underscores the critical need
for effective wellness support. Despite the documented barriers to mental well-being—self-
imposed pressures, imposter syndrome, stigma around help-seeking, and financial difficulties,
among others—wellness programs in medical schools remain underexplored.
