Allies and Support
Allies
The third step in the SMART wellness framework is Allies. Having allies and a support network during medical school can help reduce your risk for burnout. Most medical schools will offer various social gatherings and clubs, especially in the first year so that M1s can make connections with each other as well as upper classmates.
While some medical students prefer to study alone, it is beneficial to make some study time for a study group as well. This will not only strengthen connections but will also re-enforce study topics.
Having allies and friend connections can provide you with the emotional support you may need during medical school.
In one study on social support and resilience among medical students, 61% of the medical students interviewed reported that they knew a fellow medical student who was experiencing depression (Thompson et al., 2016). Additionally, 51% of the medical students interviewed reported that they knew a fellow medical student whose medical school experience was suffering due to their depression.
School Support
In response to studies on the effectiveness of mindfulness for students, almost 80% of medical schools began offering some form of mindfulness practice to encourage overall wellness (Buchholz, 2015).
Medical school faculty members understand how challenging medical school can be. It is their goal for medical students to be successful and emotionally well. Medical schools also provide students with access to student wellness programs and psychiatric support.
Family Support
Some students report having strong and positive support from their families. Other students, especially first-generation medical students, may not receive the same type of support from their families.
Families of first-generation medical students often will not understand the intensity of medical school responsibilities. As a result, some medical students have reported feeling familial tension rather than feeling supported.
If this happens to you, you can manage this through open and honest communication with family. Therapists and school faculty can help you articulate these conversations as well.
Reaching Out
Having a system of supports is important, but also be sure that you are using them when you need them as well. This can be as simple as spending time with them watching a movie, or asking them for help with other personal responsibilities like picking up your dry cleaning.
It may be helpful to identify the supports you know will be helpful in the various ways you might need. It could also be helpful to have discussions with family and friends before medical school starts. Share with them that there may be times when you aren't going to be available for events, times when you may need help with responsibilities, or times when you may just need a distratction from studying.
