Student doctor Ikaneng Yingwane shares five top tips to that helped him to maintain his mental health, and set him on track for attaining professional and personal success...

Although attending medical school can be difficult and rewarding, it can also be intellectually and emotionally taxing. Medical students' mental health and well-being may suffer because of the pressure to perform well in class, the duty of patient care, the long study and clinical rotation hours, and having to balance all that with one’s social life too. It's, therefore, critical for medical students to understand the value of self-care and to create plans for controlling their stress levels and avoiding burnout.

Mental health and self-care are vital aspects of overall well-being, and they play a significant role in a medical student's ability to succeed and provide quality patient care. In my own journey, I have found that when I neglect my mental health, I tend to develop stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout, which not only negatively affects my performance in class but also compromises patient safety. I, therefore, discovered that putting my mental health first is not just a personal choice but also a professional obligation.

Here are some tips that have helped me maintain my mental health and set me on track for attaining professional and personal success…

1. Have a self-care routine

There’s one simple rule you can follow, “there’s a time for everything”. While you think always being on the books is all you need in medical school that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s important to divide your time accordingly making time for studying and doing other things you love like spending time with friends or spending some alone time catching up on your favourite TV series for example.

2. Seek Social Support

Getting to medical school would have required grit, determination, hard work, and intrinsic motivation- all of which stem from self-sufficiency. But, that does not make you a superhero you’re still human and you need help from others.  Thus, avoid isolating yourself. Create and keep up a solid support network of friends, family, and peers who are aware of the difficulties you are experiencing. Sharing your feelings and thoughts can help you feel better and gain perspective.

3. Set Realistic Expectations

One thing that most medical students don’t realise coming out of high school and scoring top marks is that university is a very different space. You are not always going to be on top of your class like you were. You are not going to be flawless in every area of your life. Set attainable academic and personal objectives, and be kind to yourself when you experience failures.

4. Celebrate Achievements

Avoid the trap of minimising the little things that you achieve while in medical school. If you have written a difficult test celebrate that. If you complete a rotation celebrate that too (After every test I write I take the rest of that day off and relax to my favourite tv show or a movie and it gets me excited for the next thing task ahead.

5. Professional Help

Consult a mental health professional for assistance if you experience stress, anxiety, or depression that just won’t go away. There is no shame in seeking help; counselling services are frequently offered to students by universities.

It is imperative for medical students to maintain their mental health and well-being. Self-care is not selfish; rather, it is an essential step on the path to being a caring and competent healthcare provider. You can more successfully traverse the difficulties of medical school while ensuring your personal well-being and the well-being of your future patients by adopting these suggestions into your everyday life and making mental health a priority. Never forget that taking care of yourself enables you to care for others in the greatest possible way.