A Call to Action: Supporting Mental Health for Future Physicians

--This session does NOT have CME-- This session will focus on the importance of mental health support for medical students and the challenges they face in accessing resources. It will explore the current climate of mental health in medical education, the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and the barriers to seeking help. The presentation will include insights from experts in the field and provide actionable steps for improving mental health services for students. A key feature will be an interview with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation Chief Medical Officer, highlighting their work in supporting mental health initiatives within the healthcare profession.

After completing this activity, participants will be able to:

Review the current state of medical student burnout including its prevalence, causes, and consequences
Outline methods to tackle issues regarding medical student burnout
Identify institutional changes that can reduce burnout, such as curriculum adjustments and wellness initiatives
Discuss the importance of peer support, faculty mentorship, and institutional resources in combatting burnout

Chandrika Sanapala, OMS III
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Chandrika Sanapala is a third-year medical student at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine and the founder of the Burrell Wellness Taskforce, where she has spearheaded initiatives to improve mental health awareness and resources for medical students. With a strong passion for student well-being, she has worked to raise awareness about the stigma and barriers to accessing mental health support within medical education. She represented New Mexico osteopathic students at the AOA House of Delegates in 2023 and has served as the SGA Executive Board Vice President. She is also a co-founder of the Student Interest Group in Neurology and a National MS district advocate. Ms. Sanapala aspires to pursue a career in neurology.

Meghan Muppala Headshot

Meghan Muppala, OMS III
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Meghan Muppala is a third-year medical student at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she is actively involved in leadership roles and student wellness initiatives. She currently serves as the OMS III Class President and has previously held the position of Student Life Representative. Ms. Muppala is also a founding member of the BCOM Wellness Taskforce, advocating for mental health and student wellbeing, and she leads the Student Mentorship Program at BCOM, guiding students through academics, boards, and extracurriculars. Her passion for leadership extends beyond her current role as she is committed to improving the medical student experience through mentorship and social programming. She is also actively engaged in research related to medical student mental health, working on an IRB-approved study that focuses on resource utilization and self-reported mental health outcomes. Ms. Muppala plans to pursue a career in Internal Medicine.