Impact of a mental health awareness program on knowledge, attitude, and perceptions about mental health disorders among medical students

ABSTRACT

Background: The vulnerability of medical students developing mental health issues is predicted to be high due to chronic stress, large workloads, and fatigue especially in COVID-19 pandemic situation. Spreading awareness and promoting an amicable platform to facilitate discussions on mental health related topics will help to dissipate the stigma attached to mental health. This can subsequently result in improved mental health seeking behaviors. Aim and Objective: This study was conducted to assess the impact of these awareness programs on student knowledge and attitude about mental health disorders and to determine their perceptions toward an ongoing awareness program in the institution. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among the 1st year, 2nd year and pre final year medical students between the months of October and November 2021. One week program was conducted as a part of World Mental Health Day. An online semi-structured questionnaire was circulated among the students after this program to assess awareness, attitude about mental health disorders, and perceptions toward need for an ongoing awareness program in the institution. Descriptive analysis of data was done and expressed as frequency and percentages. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Results: Among 143 students who responded out of 450, majority (65.7%) opined that the events were impactful enough to encourage them to talk about their mental health issues. Posters on depression seemed to have been helpful to 49.6% of students while the event “Share your story” was appreciated by 20% of them. About 88% of the students perceived a need for ongoing program to address the students’ mental health concerns in the institution. Conclusion: Mental health awareness programs helped in improving the sense of well-being among the medical students. Program also helped the students to develop a positive attitude toward mental health and reduce stigmatization. There should be suitable curriculum changes to include both wellness and learning communities, composed of students and faculty who share common interests and passions for research and or service that extends beyond the classroom to promote medical students wellness.