May is Mental Health Awareness Month: Student Resources

1 in 5 Americans will face a mental health condition in a given year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It's #MentalHealthAwareness month, and at the UK College of Medicine, wellness is a priority. "Physicians and physicians-in-training have higher rates of burnout, depression and even suicide than the general population," said Dr. Angela Dearinger, assistant dean for student affairs - wellness. We are therefore committed to supporting our students throughout their career journey, including providing resources to promote mental health wellness and combat mental health stigma in medicine. "The last year has been a year of isolation for many, especially our medical students. Many times, you feel that you are the only one feeling overwhelmed with doubt or fear, but you are not. Reach out for help if you are experiencing anxiety, depression or isolation. Talk to a trusted friend or mental health counselor, " said Dr. Dearinger, who oversees student wellness activities. One of the resources within the College's community is a group called Resilient, a student-led organization that was established to make personal wellness a priority for all students by making mental health resources more accessible and having open conversations about mental well-being. Priya Mohan, president of Resilient, notes that one of the primary reasons we tend to ignore mental health is because we are simply too busy. "Prioritizing wellness can be hard. There are always a hundred and one things that we could be doing, and it is difficult to take a step back and do something for ourselves," she said. Both Mohan and Dr. Dearinger agree that combatting stigmas, increasing awareness, and promoting mental health treatment are crucial to improving the health and wellness of our community and of people everywhere. "A lot of times we feel like we have to suffer in silence, but recognizing that we are not alone and sharing our experiences will hopefully bring us one step closer to breaking stigmas surrounding mental health," said Mohan. More about Resilient and other student groups: https://meded.med.uky.edu/medical-education-peer-support-services-0 More UK College of Medicine wellness resources: https://mednet.mc.uky.edu/wellbeing