1 in 3 medical students have depressive symptoms

MADRID, May 6 (EUROPA PRESS) –

More than a third of medical students suffer from depressive symptoms, according to a study carried out at the University of Valencia and in which more than 800 students have participated.

Despite the fact that the mental health of medical students has been extensively studied internationally, in Spain this has been a taboo subject until now. “These data show us that the prevalence would be similar or even higher than in other countries,” commented the head of the study, Beatriz Atienza.

Specifically, the study has shown that the levels of depressive symptoms are higher in those students with less satisfaction with the academic results of the previous semester. Additionally, 70 percent of students with depressive symptoms had never consulted with a mental health professional.

This, according to Atienza, could be due to the stigma that still surrounds mental illness in society, which continues to perceive it as a weakness of the person, since “it is possible” that the student with depressive symptoms does not ask for help because doing so could have consequences on your professional future.

“The results of this study suggests the need to carry out interventions and have specific services in medical schools to help our students,” Atienza said.

–