As a prospective medical student, recognizing the importance of good mental health is crucial for your well-being, avoiding med student burnout, and having success as a doctor. Prioritizing physician mental health enhances patient care and helps you balance work and personal interests, enabling long-term career success.

Mental Health Awareness Month, recognized each May, is a great time to raise awareness and advocate solutions so that future doctors may live healthier, more balanced lives.

This article shares common mental health challenges amongst med students. It also encourages developing healthy habits and seeking support when needed to augment your well-being throughout your medical career.

Challenges to mental health in medical school

Let’s face it, med school is tough. The demanding workload, long hours, and high expectations lead some students to experience self-doubt and “imposter syndrome,” or the feeling of not measuring up despite working hard. Many students struggle to adjust to the rigors of medical school, finding it difficult to manage both academic demands and personal life. Sadly, this can often lead to med student burnout.

The four years of medical school will certainly be challenging, but achieving your dream of becoming a doctor will be deeply rewarding. It’s important to stay focused yet recognize when it’s time to reach out for help, says Dr. Cecilia Rougier, director of St. George’s University’s Psychological Services Center.

“Mental health is ‘brain health’,” Dr. Rougier says. “It’s crucial to take care of your mind just as much as your body.”

She reminds students that being a med student isn’t the only thing that defines them.

“Remember, you are more than just a medical student; you bring a wealth of achievements, skills, and strengths with you. By reflecting on these past successes, you can transfer those qualities to your current journey. With intentionality, it is possible to find balance and thrive during med school,” Dr. Rougier says.

Mental health support services available in med school

Med students should actively seek out the university support services available to help them throughout school. Here are a few ways that SGU supports students’ mental health and well-being:

• The Psychological Services Center (PSC) offers a range of free counseling services, wellness workshops, and peer support groups, to help students maintain balance during medical school while building resilience. PSC clinicians are also available 24 hours a day for emergencies.
• SGU’s Fitness & Wellness Center boasts top-tier equipment, personal training services, and a variety of group classes, from kickboxing and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to yoga and Pilates. Many students take advantage of the fitness center to keep active and de-stress while balancing life as a med student.
• At SGU, you’ll have access to The Well Program, a comprehensive resource designed to support your health and wellness throughout your journey. Within The Well, students will discover tools and services aimed at nurturing the mind, body, and soul.

At SGU, students regularly participate in self-care activities. In addition, PSC hosts meaningful activities on campus to highlight University Mental Health Day in March and World Mental Health Day on October 10. From yoga, massage, or even playing with therapy dogs to relieve stress, these activities offer students ways to relax and recharge, and stay grounded during their studies.

“Being healthy and staying well can significantly impact your ability to succeed,” Dr. Rougier says. “Our goal is to help you cultivate a balanced, healthy, and productive lifestyle—both during your time at St. George’s University and beyond.”

The clinical years: A different kind of pressure

Once students begin clinical training, a new set of challenges present themselves. SGU has over 85 affiliated hospitals and clinical centers in the US, UK, and Canada, where students can continue their training.

“Transitioning to clinical rotations brings big changes—new locations, new teams, and a shift in community,” says Dr. Laurence Dopkin, SGU assistant dean of students, clinicals. “Students go from being on campus to part of a diverse medical team, all while learning to apply classroom knowledge to real patient care. Staying connected to SGU’s community and resources can help ease the adjustment.”

In addition to services provided on campus, SGU has partnered with The BCS Group to provide 24-hour telehealth counseling for medical students across all time zones, as well as psychiatry referrals. US-based clinical students may find these services particularly helpful, Dr. Dopkin says.

“My best advice for students is simple—you need to take care of yourself, before you can take care of anybody else. Just like most diseases and disorders, early recognition, assessment, and diagnosis of a behavioral health issue can lead to simple, effective treatment and resolution of symptoms. The 24-hour availability of telehealth services for our students has improved the ease and speed of access to counseling,” he says.

Advice from recent SGU grads on how to prioritize your mental health

Building healthy mental health habits early on in your medical studies and career will set you up for success down the road.

“The path to becoming a doctor can be daunting and difficult. I think the most important things to remember are to follow your passions, commitment, hard work, and maintain your balance and well-being,” says Hannah Nguyen, MD ’21, a psychiatry resident at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, CA.

Here are some tips from SGU grads:

Find and cultivate your support system

Having a strong support network is crucial to success. Whether it’s family (even from afar), friends, mentors, or other colleagues, finding those who understand your challenges can improve your mental health. Having a strong support system, from peers to mentors, can make all the difference. Mentors can provide guidance, emotional validation, and advice throughout your journey.

“Medical school is a tough road to travel alone so having the right support system makes all the difference,” says Disha Sason, MD ’23, a pediatrics resident at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, NY.

Establish a schedule

A clear, structured schedule is essential for managing the heavy workload in medical school. It helps you prioritize tasks, stay organized, and make time for both studying and self-care.

“Designate study days for studying only, and make sure your time off is truly for relaxation without any studying,” says Pichapa “Sandy” Sangsawad, MD ’24, a family medicine resident at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

Find a hobby outside of your studies

Whether it’s joining an intramural sport or finding solace in reading a good book, pursuing something that is personally enjoyable outside of your medical studies can provide a much-needed escape, helping to reduce stress and restore balance to your life.

“My advice to students is to prioritize self-care, set boundaries, and seek support when needed,” says Jacobus Schutte, MD ’23, a general surgery resident at WellSpan Health York Hospital in York, PA. “Cultivating hobbies, maintaining relationships outside of work, and practicing mindfulness are essential for maintaining a healthy mental well-being.”

Listen to your body when it needs rest

In medical school, it’s important to listen to your body and recognize when it needs rest, as pushing through exhaustion can impair your focus, memory, and overall well-being, ultimately hindering your academic performance and health.

“Medical school is a marathon. I set goals for the day or week for where I wanted to be (like catching up with lectures, preparing for small group, exams, etc.) and then prioritized personal time when I felt like I was not in the headspace to focus,” recalls SGU grad Yat Ching Fung, MD ’24, an obstetrics and gynecology resident at Corewell Health Dearborn Hospital in Dearborn, MI.

“I would go out for a walk, hang out with friends, or treat myself a nice dinner or a movie before returning to the materials. This kept me extremely motivated and got burnt out far less easily,” Dr. Fung says.

Work-life balance in healthcare professions

Prioritizing mental wellbeing is key to becoming not only a successful doctor but also a compassionate one who can truly connect with patients. For prospective students, cultivating mental health from the very start of your medical journey is essential for long-term success and personal fulfillment.

To be sure, it’s important to recognize that certain medical specialties, like primary care, can offer doctors more flexible schedules, making it easier to juggle personal and professional responsibilities.

Of course, work-life balance is achievable in specialties other than primary care, but it may require a different approach. Procedure-oriented specialties could require long hours and early wake-up times. Thus, physicians in those specialties may have to be more intentional about how they schedule their time at work and at home.

These are all things to consider when choosing your medical career.

Get started on your medical journey

Once you make the decision that medicine is the right career path for you, your first step is applying to medical schools. SGU has designed the application and admissions process to be as straightforward and supportive as possible for prospective students. Read our blog, Completing Your SGU Medical School Application and check out our blog series Journey to Becoming an MD to get all of your questions answered.