The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has decided to open a wellness clinic for its medical students and doctors. It will have a team of psychologists and vocational counsellors who will help the medical professionals deal with stress and emotional exhaustion.
AIIMS sees at least one suicide/attempt every year. Most recently, on Saturday, a 36-year-old PhD student at the institute’s microbiology department had tried to kill himself by overdosing on drugs. He had accused his supervisor of mental harassment, abuse and delay in his fellowship, an issue being investigated. “To address the larger issue of dissatisfaction or stress among students and residents, which drives them to suicide, the institute has decided to open a wellness clinic. In-principle approval has been given for it,” Dr Aarti Vij, chief spokesperson of AIIMS, told TOI.
She added that plan was to have at least two psychologists and a vocational counsellor to begin with and, then, expand the team further. “We will also institute a 24X7 helpline for medical students and doctors. It will be run by the psychologists and counsellors only,” Vij added.
Read more of this in a report published in Times of India....
