SUICIDE IN MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND MEDICAL STUDENTS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Suicide among medical professionals and medical students is a topic of growing relevance, given the impact mental health has on their quality of life and professional performance. Studies indicate that physicians and medical students have higher suicide rates than the general population. Both physicians and medical students are exposed to various stressors that harm their mental health. This study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of mental health and suicide among medical professionals and medical students, as well as the causes and possible interventions to reduce suicide rates and improve quality of life and emotional support in these groups. The study used an exploratory, cross-sectional, qualitative approach, and a narrative review. The results of the review indicated that physicians and other healthcare professionals are considered a high-risk group for suicide. Several factors contribute to this scenario, such as specific professional experiences, workload, sleep deprivation, difficulty relating to patients, unhealthy environments, financial concerns, and information overload. The stigma surrounding mental health is a significant barrier to suicide prevention and protection. Prevention strategies must be addressed on multiple fronts, including effective management of psychiatric disorders, early recognition and treatment of depression and substance abuse, and measures to reduce occupational stress and limit access to lethal means during periods of vulnerability. Furthermore, redesigning medical school curricula to include programs that strengthen students' self-confidence, encourage the expression of emotional needs, and educate them about the fact that any individual, regardless of their professional status, may be at risk of suicide is essential to reducing stigma and promoting help-seeking.