A Call to Action: Supporting Mental Health for Future Physicians-A Call to Action: Supporting Mental Health for Future Physicians

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Video Summary

In a presentation led by third-year medical students Chandrika Sanapala and Megan Mapala from Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, the critical issues of burnout and mental health struggles among medical students were addressed. The discussion highlighted the growing physician shortage and the importance of supporting student well-being early in medical training to ensure long-term career sustainability. Sanapala, involved in a study on medical student mental health, shared personal experiences and advocacy efforts, emphasizing systemic changes and the role of student-driven initiatives. <br /><br />Key strategies proposed include the implementation of wellness budgets, mental health days, increased funding for on-campus services, and the development of standardized toolkits for preventing burnout. The presentation underscored the necessity of creating peer support networks, integrating mental health discussions into medical education, and removing stigmatizing questions from licensing applications to encourage help-seeking behavior.<br /><br />Guest speaker Dr. Stephanie Simmons emphasized the need for systemic policy changes to address barriers to healthcare worker well-being and advocated for broader reform efforts. The session concluded with a call to action, encouraging advocacy, mentorship, and spreading awareness to build a supportive culture for future medical professionals.

Keywords

medical student burnout

mental health

physician shortage

student well-being

systemic changes

wellness budgets

peer support networks

advocacy

healthcare reform