NMC panel to address suicide tendency among medical students

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has constituted a national task force to analyse factors contributing to depression and suicidal tendency among medical students 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.

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 for improving mental health and preparatory of suicides.