Out of the 122 medical students who ended their lives, 64 were enrolled in MBBS, while 58 were pursuing postgraduate courses.
(Representational image/Creative Commons)
The states of Kerala and Karnataka have the highest rates of suicide among medical students in India.
According to details obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) query, the National Medical Commission (NMC) revealed that in the last five years, a total of 122 medical students and 1,270 medical professionals died by suicide and discontinued their studies, respectively
The NMC details indicated that out of the 122 medical students who tragically ended their lives between 2018 and 2022, 64 were enrolled in the MBBS programme, while the remaining 58 were pursuing different postgraduate medical courses.
Among the latter group, 12 students were pursuing MS in clinical branches, 36 were enrolled in MD programmes within clinical branches, and 10 were engaged in MD/MS pre- and para-clinical branches.
According to the information obtained through the RTI, Kerala — with nine cases — recorded the highest number of suicides among states across India in the MBBS programme from 2018 to 2022.
It was followed by Tamil Nadu with eight cases. Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka reported five cases each, while Telangana reported one case, and Puducherry reported three cases.
In the case of postgraduate medicine from 2018 to 2022, Karnataka had the highest number of suicides with 11 cases. Puducherry reported four cases, while Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana each reported one case each.
The RTI application, submitted by activist Dr Vivek Pandey, sought specific details of both undergraduate and postgraduate medical students who died by suicide during the last five years.
The NMC provided additional information, stating that among the 1,270 students who discontinued their studies, 153 were pursuing MBBS, while 1,117 were involved in postgraduate medical studies.
Breaking down the numbers, 17 students discontinued their MBBS studies in Karnataka, followed by 13 students in Andhra Pradesh, eight each in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and three each in Telangana and Puducherry.
For postgraduate medicine, Karnataka had the highest — with 96 students dropping out — followed by 41 in Telangana, 39 in Tamil Nadu, 38 in Andhra Pradesh, 10 in Kerala, and six in Puducherry.
“Various challenges are faced by medical students. From academic pressure and financial constraints to mental health issues and personal obligations, students in medical college encounter a myriad of obstacles,” Dr Vivek Pandey to South First.
“Some struggle in unsupportive learning environments or face pressure to pursue alternative careers. Additionally, difficulties in meeting academic requirements or disciplinary issues can also contribute to students dropping out,” he explained.
He added that a high workload and continued pressure from the departments were forcing them to leave their seats.
“By recognising and addressing these challenges proactively, we can create a more supportive and conducive environment for our students to thrive in their medical education,” said Pandey.
Dr Chandrika Reddy, a junior resident doctor at Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad, told South First that the dropouts and suicides in medical colleges had various contributing factors, including stressful environments, workload, and financial constraints.
“The pressure to excel in exams becomes a significant stressor for medical students. High expectations from parents and the competitive nature of medical education create an environment of peer pressure, intensifying stress levels. A limited time for leisure activities adds to the strain, as does the aspiration for advanced studies,” she explained.
“The extensive academic curriculum and the fear of failure further contribute to the stress. Beyond academics, factors like loneliness, family challenges, and adjustment difficulties become additional sources of stress,” pointed out Reddy.
“Living conditions, the quality of food, and accommodation away from home also play a role in contributing to the overall stress experienced by medical students. Recognising and addressing these various stressors are crucial for fostering a more supportive and humane environment for aspiring healthcare professionals,” she said.
Osmania Medical College happened to have one of the highest numbers of postgraduate students — 27 — who dropped out in the last five years in South India.
Dr J Isaac Newton, the general secretary of the Junior Doctors Associations (JUDA) of Telangana, told South First that some students might come to realise that they had chosen a postgraduate course that didn’t align with their interests, prompting them to consider dropping out.
The demanding nature of clinical branches added another layer of difficulty for postgraduate students in medical colleges, he added.
“The lifestyle adjustment for medical students can be challenging, and the prolonged duration of medical education may lead some to drop out,” said Isaac, besides concurring with several of the factors Reddy and Pandey pointed out.
“Opting to leave a medical seat can actually be a positive decision for personal and mental growth, especially if staying in a toxic and distressing environment poses harm. Compulsory bonds act as a deterrent, preventing many postgraduate students from choosing this path,” said Reddy.
The doctors also pointed out that the significant impact of stressful study and working hours on the mental well-being of students, interns, and postgraduate residents was acknowledged.
Proposals like mental wellness centres in medical institutes, dedicated helpline numbers, fixed working hours for postgraduate residents, and proper induction courses with support from friendly seniors or mentors were deemed crucial in addressing these challenges and supporting the mental health of medical students.
In response to the growing concerns surrounding depression and suicide among medical students, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has established a national task force.
The primary aim of this task force is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to suicides and formulate evidence-based strategies to enhance the mental health of the medical student community.
Heading the 15-member task force as its chairperson is Dr BM Suresh, a professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru.
The task force was constituted by the anti-ragging committee of the NMC, as stated in an office order issued on 21 February.
According to the terms and references, the task force is mandated to study existing literature and data on the mental health and suicide of medical students, analyse factors contributing to these challenges, and propose evidence-based strategies for improving mental health.
The task force is also expected to conduct visits to colleges where incidents of suicides have been reported.
A comprehensive report outlining key findings and actionable recommendations for improving the mental health of medical students is expected to be submitted by 31 May.
The task force will reportedly provide monthly progress reports to the Anti-Ragging Cell of the NMC, and it is anticipated to hold regular meetings, either virtually or in person, as necessary to fulfil its mandate.
It is also empowered to co-opt members on a need basis to facilitate its study and the timely finalisation of the report.
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