Primer for Clinicians Treating Medical Students and Residents

Many consider the state of medical trainee mental health in the United States to be in crisis. Studies consistently show that medical trainees (students, residents, and fellows) suffer from higher rates of depression, burnout, anxiety, and suicidal ideation compared to the general population. Rate increases are seen as early as the first year of medical school and continue to remain elevated into their careers. Given the unique and complex challenges trainees face, interventions for prevention and treatment must come from multiple levels and be tailored to this special population, from the governing bodies of medical education to the individual provider. This article is a primer for psychiatrists to appreciate the mental health crisis medical trainees are experiencing, risk factors for suicide in medical trainees, and common barriers to treatment, and to conceptualize appropriate interventions.