WHO World Mental Health Day 2025: Why Medical Students and NEET Aspirants Deserve Our Attention?

WHO World Mental Health Day 2025: Every year on October 10, the World Health Organisation (WHO) observes World Mental Health Day to raise awareness about mental health issues and the need for proper care. While mental health affects people from all walks of life, one group that remains especially vulnerable in India is medical students and NEET aspirants.

High expectations, long study hours, and immense pressure to succeed create an environment where anxiety, depression, and burnout are alarmingly common.

Disturbingly, suicide rates among students preparing for medical entrance exams have spiked in recent years, making mental health a critical public health concern.

WHO World Mental Health Day 2025

Tagline: “Mental health in humanitarian emergencies”

The World Health Organisation (WHO): “Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to their community. It has intrinsic and instrumental value and is a basic human right.”

WHO emphasises that adolescent mental health is a critical global concern, with rising rates of depression, anxiety, and behavioural disorders, and suicide ranking among the leading causes of death in young people.

WHO urges the implementation of comprehensive strategies to address this issue, including supportive policies, nurturing environments at home and in schools, school-based programs such as social and emotional learning, and guaranteed access to preventive and treatment services.

The organisation also notes that many mental health conditions emerge during adolescence but frequently remain undetected and untreated, underscoring the need for early intervention.

PM Modi on WHO World Mental Health Day 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the importance of mental health on WHO World Mental Health Day 2025 to raise awareness about mental well-being.

Sharing a message on X (formerly Twitter), he said, “World Mental Health Day serves as a powerful reminder that mental health is a fundamental part of our overall well-being.”

He emphasised the need to show empathy and support to those struggling with mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression.

“In today’s fast-paced world, this day reminds us to pause, reflect, and extend compassion to others,” PM Modi added.

The Pressure of Medical Education in India

Medical education is considered prestigious in India, but the journey is far from easy. Students face intense competition from the very start:

• Every year, over 24 lakh students appear for NEET UG, competing for roughly 1.2 lakh MBBS seats.
• The NMC’s competency-based curriculum and NEET PG exam increase academic and psychological demands on students.
• Many NEET aspirants spend 12-18 hours a day preparing, often neglecting sleep, nutrition, and physical activity.

This relentless pressure can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.

Mental Health Challenges Among Medical Students

Medical students, unlike other students, face unique stressors:

• Heavy Academic Load: Long hours of lectures, labs, and clinical rotations.
• Emotional Burden: Early exposure to patient suffering and death.
• Sleep Deprivation: Night shifts, long study sessions, and exams impact mental wellness.
• Financial Stress: High fees in private medical colleges add to anxiety.
• Social Isolation: Lack of peer or family support while living away from home.

According to research, up to 70% of Indian medical students report symptoms of depression or anxiety during their course. Many remain silent due to stigma, fearing judgment or academic consequences.

The Tragic Reality: Student Suicides

In recent years, India has witnessed numerous reports of NEET aspirants and medical students taking their own lives due to academic stress:

• Constant comparisons with peers and fear of failure contribute to psychological pressure.
• Parental and societal expectations amplify feelings of inadequacy.
• Inadequate counselling and mental health support in schools and colleges leave students with no coping mechanisms.

These tragic incidents highlight the urgent need for mental health interventions, particularly for students navigating competitive exams.

Why Mental Health Care Must Become a Priority

Ignoring mental health has long-term consequences:

• Reduced academic performance and professional efficiency.
• Increased dropout rates and career dissatisfaction.
• Elevated risk of chronic mental illnesses like depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse.
• Negative societal impact, as these students form the future healthcare workforce.

Steps to Support Medical Students and NEET Aspirants

1. Early Awareness and Education

Introduce mental health education in schools and coaching centers to normalise stress management and emotional well-being.

2. Counselling and Support Systems

• On-campus counsellors in medical colleges and coaching institutes.
• Hotlines and online platforms for instant support.
• Encouraging peer support groups to reduce isolation.

3. Balanced Academic Programs

• Integrate breaks, recreational activities, and flexible schedules.
• Promote an active lifestyle and physical activity, which improve mental health.

4. Policy Interventions by NMC and Government

• NMC can mandate counselling programs and stress management workshops in all medical colleges.
• Create student-friendly exam schedules to reduce excessive pressure.
• Encourage private coaching institutes to follow mental health guidelines for aspirants.

5. Family and Community Support

Parents and teachers should learn to recognise early warning signs like withdrawal, irritability, and declining academic performance. Open dialogue and emotional encouragement are key.

Government of India

The Indian government is actively addressing student mental health through initiatives like the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) and the National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele MANAS), focusing on counselling, life skills training, and reducing stigma.

The Tele MANAS helpline offers free, round-the-clock support, while the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) emphasises community-based interventions.

Key Government Policies & Programs:

• National Mental Health Programme (NMHP): Supports the DMHP, offering counselling in schools and colleges, life skills training, suicide prevention, and awareness campaigns.
• National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele MANAS): Launched on October 10, 2022, this initiative provides free 24/7 support via toll-free helpline and 53 Tele MANAS Cells across India.
• Ayushman Bharat: Integrates mental health services into Health and Wellness Centers, with Community Health Officers trained to provide counselling and follow-up care.
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Emphasises physical activity, emotional well-being, and resilience development among students.

How WHO World Mental Health Day 2025 Can Make a Difference

World Mental Health Day serves as a global reminder that mental health is as important as physical health.

For Indian medical students and NEET aspirants, the day can:

• Reduce stigma around seeking help.
• Promote awareness campaigns in colleges and coaching centers.
• Encourage policy-level initiatives by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Ministry of Health.
• Highlight the success stories of students who manage stress effectively.

Mental Health is a Lifeline

Medical students and NEET aspirants are the future of India’s healthcare system. Their mental well-being directly affects patient care and the quality of the medical workforce.

As the WHO reminds us this World Mental Health Day, it is time to take mental health seriously in India. Counselling, awareness, policy reforms, and family support must become integral parts of the medical education ecosystem.

After all, the best doctors are not just knowledgeable, they are resilient, compassionate, and mentally healthy.