Mental health treatment needs for medical students: a national longitudinal study

PURPOSE: We aimed to study the occurrence and predictors of medical students' mental health problems that required treatment. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Medical students from all Norwegian universities (N=421) were surveyed in their first term (T1), and 3 (T2) and 6 (T3) years later. The dependent variable was "Mental health problems in need of treatment". Predictor variables included personality traits, medical school stress and negative life events. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of mental health problems was 15% at T1. At T2, of the 31% who reported problems during the first 3years, a majority had not sought help. At T3, 14% reported problems during the preceding year. Adjusted predictors of problems at T2 were previous mental health problems (p<.001), low level of intensity personality trait (extraversion) (p<.01), reality weakness personality trait (p<.01), perceived medical school stress (p<.05) and negative life events (p<.05). DISCUSSION: Mental health problems during the first 3years were predicted by previous problems, personality, medical school stress and negative life events. CONCLUSION: A third of the students reported mental health problems during the first 3years. Intervention should focus on both individual problems and contextual stress.