NMC sets up national task force to address mental health challenges among medical students

New Delhi: To address concerns related to depression and suicide among medical students, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has constituted a national task force to analyse factors contributing to these challenges and propose evidence-based strategies for improving mental health.

The 15-member task force comprises Dr B M Suresh, Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), as chairman.

"Mental health of medical students has been a cause of concern in the recent past leading to depression and suicide by the medical students. To address this issue, a National Task Force has been constituted by anti-ragging committee of the National Medical Commission (NMC)," an office order issued on February 21 said.

According to the terms and references, the task force shall study existing literature and data on mental health and suicide of medical students, analyse factors contributing to these challenges and propose evidence-based strategies.

The committee will also visit the colleges where incidents of suicides have been reported.

The task force shall submit a comprehensive report outlining key findings and actionable recommendations for promoting mental health of the medical students by May 31, 2024. The task force will submit the monthly progress report to the anti-ragging cell.

The task force shall convene regular meetings, either virtually or in-person, as necessary to fulfill its mandate.

Additionally, the committees may visit the medical colleges where the incidents of suicide have been reported.