Thousands of Australian doctors and medical students were surveyed regarding their mental health problem, coping skills, and stress levels. According to the beyondblue study, doctors and med students were more likely to experience psychological distress and suicidal thoughts. Some survey respondents even reported that they were bullied or experienced racism.

Chairman of beyondblue Hon. Jeff Kennett AC said that the shocking results of the survey needs an immediate rallying call for action. “We conducted this survey because, given doctors and medical students are under immense pressure and deal regularly with pain and death, we know that the mental health of many of them is poor.”

Further, the study revealed that one in 5 med students and one in 10 doctors had suicidal thoughts in the past year. Also, oncologists are clearly the most psychologically distressed specialists while those doctors not directly dealing with patients, such as researchers and administrators, think about suicide most often.

Some doctors and medical students are burnt-out and have turned into excessive alcohol consumption to cope. Because of the stigma, doctors have become reluctant to admit that they indeed have a mental health problem – which highlights the need for action even more.

beyondblue has launched the Doctors’ Mental Health Program to address the prevalence of depression and anxiety in Australian medical students and doctors.